Country music artist John Rich has offered to perform a free concert for Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who gained attention for their bravery in protecting an American flag during a recent protest on campus.
Rich admired the fraternity brothers, saying, “When I saw the guys at UNC holding that flag up, making sure it did not hit the ground, it told me a lot about them.”
The fraternity members had been holding up the flag as activists threw objects at them during a protest on Tuesday, and a GoFundMe page was set up to raise money for a “rager” party to celebrate their actions. The “Pi Kappa Phi Men Defended Their Flag. Throw ’em a Rager” page has raised over $500,000 so far.
John Rich says he’ll perform at UNC frat’s ‘rager’ (Credits: Newsweek)
Rich, who is known for his patriotic music, said he reached out to the fraternity brothers and offered to perform at their party, saying, “I said, ‘Boys, I sure am proud of you.
When you have that big rager you guys are talking about on GoFundMe, I’d like to show up and play you a free concert.'” The fraternity brothers have accepted his offer, and plans are being made to make the concert a reality.
The protests on college campuses across the country have been focused on Palestinian human rights and the humanitarian situation in Gaza in the middle of the Israel-Hamas war. However, some of the protests have faced accusations of antisemitism, which the protesters have denied.
The Columbia protest leaders released a statement last month: “We firmly reject any form of hate or bigotry and stand vigilant against non-students attempting to disrupt the solidarity being forged among students.”
John Rich praises UNC students (Credits: Fox News)
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who has expressed his distaste for recent pro-Palestinian protests, donated $10,000 to the GoFundMe page. Ackman has been vocal about his support for Israel and has criticized the protests for what he sees as their anti-Semitic rhetoric.
The situation has sparked a broader debate about free speech, hate speech, and the role of protests on college campuses. While some see the protests as an essential expression of political dissent, others see them as a threat to Jewish students and a manifestation of antisemitism.
Regardless of one’s position on the issue, the actions of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity brothers have resonated with many people. Their bravery in protecting the American flag has been seen as a symbol of patriotism and courage. John Rich’s offer to perform at their party is a testament to the power of music to bring people together and celebrate common values.
