Country music star John Rich has lauded a group of students at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for their swift action in preventing an American flag from touching the ground on the school’s quad on April 30.
The image capturing the moment when students thwarted protesters’ attempts to remove the flag, marking the second time during anti-Israeli demonstrations on campus, rapidly spread across social media platforms, catching Mr. Rich’s attention in the process.
During a pro-Palestine demonstration at UNC-Chapel Hill’s main quad on April 30, protesters swapped the U.S. flag with a Palestinian flag, igniting clashes between demonstrators and counter-protesters amid broader unrest.
In response, a group primarily composed of young men, including members of the Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternities, took decisive action. They hoisted the U.S. flag aloft after it was forcibly removed by protesters and replaced with the Palestinian flag. Images capturing these fraternity brothers’ defense of the American flag quickly circulated across social media platforms, gaining widespread attention.
The renowned country music artist is presently in discussions with the university to organize a complimentary concert in Chapel Hill, as he noted on his social media profiles. Mr. Rich has dubbed the prospective music fest “Flagstock.”
Speaking to The Epoch Times on May 2, Mr. Rich remarked: “When I saw the young men making sure our flag didn’t touch the ground in the midst of a barrage of rocks, bottles, and hatred, I felt a real hope that all is not lost. I’m hoping to announce a concert date soon where we will get together, share our love for America and our flag. It will be my honor to sing for these young Patriots.”
He emphasized the importance of students recognizing their entitlement not to happiness but to pursue it as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, urging them to seize the opportunity to chase their American dream while attending university. Mr. Rich underscored the imperative of taking action against any impediments to this pursuit and the desecration of symbols representing fundamental rights.
An Outpouring of Support
Fueled by an outpouring of national pride, a crowdfunding campaign for the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at UNC-Chapel Hill has shattered its initial goal. Coined “Pi Kappa Phi Men Defended their Flag. Throw ’em a Rager,” the effort aims to throw a massive party in honor of the brothers’ courageous act of protecting the American flag during the campus protest. The initial target of $15,000 was a distant memory as donations skyrocketed to $319,000 as of May 3.This campaign, lauded for its celebration of allegiance, has resonated with the nation. Donations have flooded in from across the country, with many viewing the fraternity members as modern-day patriots who emphasized the importance of defending the American flag, regardless of background.
