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Black U. of Missouri Football Players Strike over Campus Racism

HeadlineNov 09, 2015

Update: After our morning broadcast, University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe resigned.

African-American players on the University of Missouri’s football team have gone on strike, refusing to participate in team activities or games until the university president resigns over his handling of racism on the heavily white campus. In a tweet Saturday, the players wrote: “The athletes of color on the University of Missouri football team truly believe 'Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere.' We will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students’ experience.” The move comes amid increasing protest over racial slurs and the appearance of a swastika drawn in feces in a dormitory. For a week, an African-American graduate student, Jonathan Butler, has been on hunger strike, and protesters have been camping out to support his call for Wolfe’s resignation. The coach and athletic department have supported the football players. Coach Gary Pinkel tweeted: “We are united. We are behind our players.” Athletic director Mack Rhoades released a statement saying there would be no practice or formal team activities until Butler ends his hunger strike.

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