Protestors argue Abbott as graduation speaker
Edward Balusek / Visuals Editor & Byron Thompson / Senior Staff Photographer
A small group of students voiced their opposition of Gov. Greg Abbott as the commencement speaker during a protest at the Library Mall yesterday.
Posterboards and banners made it clear to passersby that the group was upset with the choice of speaker and that students didn’t have an opportunity to choose.
The protestors were met with a few challenges right off the bat. A separate organization had already reserved the space in front of the Hurley Administration Building and were politely asked to move.
Communication design senior Jared Peers holds a sign showing that students didn’t have a choice in the speaker.
However, schooching 20 feet to a grassy area adjacent to the brick plaza didn’t deter integrated studies senior Jason Marchetti from expressing his disdain for the protestors.
Marchetti was seen arguing with the group, which lead to screaming, and Marchetti’s subsequent arrest.
He also performed a Sieg Heil, a traditional Nazi salute, while police officers approached him
Ovalle, left, and Medrano hold a banner that reads, “Abbot Free UNT.”
Other than the arrest, the protest was peacful.
Integrated studies senior Christy Medrano piped through a megaphone to spread the protestors’ thoughts and encouraged students to sign a petition.
The protestors will deliver the petition to President Neal Smatresk when they have enough signatures.
Art direction senior Courtney Pace, middle, tells students about the protest.
Medrano, left, shows integrated studies junior Nicholas Canoy the group’s petition.
Integrated studies senior Jason Marchetti, right, yells at anthroplogy senior Mario Ovalle, a protestor against Abbott. Marchetti was arrested at the scene on charges of disorderly conduct and abusing/threatening a person in a public place.
Featured Image: Integrated studies senior Christy Medrano talks from a loud speaker in protest of Gov. Greg Abbott as the commence speaker. She and a small group of others started their protest at noon yesterday.
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