There's a limit to the variety of activities a college will allow on campus, especially if such activities pose a danger to students and/or directly contradict core university beliefs.
The Evening Sun reported that Gettysburg College will not allow this weekend's KKK rally in Gettysburg to spill onto campus and will enlist the help of security if necessary. Via an email obtained by The Sun, president Janet Morgan Riggs, Dean of Students Julie Ramsey and Provost Chris Zappe, has taken a firm stance against the demonstration.
The email begins with a broad message on "bias-related incidents."
"Our community has been focused on creating a campus that is welcoming to a diverse variety of individuals -- and part of this process includes transparency and communications with regard to bias-related incidents," the email read. "While this information can be painful and sometimes frightening, it also helps to foster conversations about these issues as we move forward in creating a campus that is inclusive and supportive for all of us..."
Eventually, it addresses the impending KKK event, the group's right to march, and the school's plan to enforce its borders:
"We also want to assure you that the safety of our students and other College community members is of our utmost concern. While this visiting KKK group is free to rally in public areas-including spaces adjacent to campus-they will not be permitted on campus property. Our Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been working closely with local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the campus community..."
In case students didn't realize how school officials felt about the KKK, the email concludes with a forceful condemnation of the KKK and all it represents.
"Bias and hate-filled behavior have no place on our campus. We ask you to join us in standing together as a united community to prevent and overcome such injustice."
In response to the KKK's presence, the campus has been hosting events promoting unity all week and through the weekend, including Voices of Unity and Unity Against Hate set to directly coincide with the march, The Sun reports.
In yet another unforeseen outcome relating to the government shutdown, the KKK's permit to march was rescinded by the National Park Service, according to The Evening Sun. The group plans to march anyway sometime between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.
