Several politicians commended the students from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill for their actions in protecting the American flag from anti-Israel protesters. UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts was observed raising the American flag back to the top of the flag pole after pro-Palestinian protesters had taken it down and replaced it with the Palestinian flag. Following Roberts’ departure, the pro-Palestinian protesters attempted once again to remove the flag, prompting a group of students to step in, hold the flag up, and defend it from the protesters.
One student, Guillermo Estrada, expressed his displeasure at seeing the Palestinian flag flying above the flag pole, stating that he was upset to see his country’s flag disrespected in favor of another. Subsequently, Chancellor Roberts and police officers restored the American flag, despite facing hostile reactions from the protesters.
The students’ actions were lauded as “courageous” by several lawmakers, including former Vice President Mike Pence, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Mike Collins, Rep. Byron Donalds, and Rep. Lisa McClain. They praised the students for their bravery in standing up to the anti-American mob and defending the American flag amidst adversity.
In a similar incident, anti-Israel protesters at Harvard University also removed the American flag and replaced it with the Palestinian flag, but staff intervened to restore the American flag.
