Two fans at Saturday’s Wisconsin-Nebraska game in Madison, Wis., enacted a scene that many found offensive, both in the stadium and through images that circulated online. One fan wore a Donald Trump mask and held a noose around the neck of the other fan, who was wearing a Barack Obama mask and a prison-striped outfit.
https://twitter.com/woahohkatie/status/792507579549102080
The fan wearing the Obama mask apparently also had one of Hillary Clinton, which was worn as the pair walked up the steps at Camp Randall Stadium, with the noose still in place. That fan also carried a sign objecting to Clinton’s “What difference, at this point, does it make?” comment during congressional hearings on Benghazi in 2013.
https://twitter.com/woahohkatie/status/792518138852020224
At halftime I personally saw the ppl at issue. The Obama mask was gone, but "Trump" still had "Clinton" in a noose. https://t.co/qULB1ImUfj
— Paul Kelleher (@kelleher_) October 30, 2016
The fans were not removed from the game, but they were asked to remove the noose. Officials from both the Wisconsin football program and the campus police noted online that the fans had been engaged in “free speech.”
We don't support offensive image of a noose, but this is a form of free speech. Guest Services asked them to remove & they did.
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) October 30, 2016
While we don't support their message, this is a form of free speech.
— UW-Madison Police (@UWMadisonPolice) October 30, 2016
Again, we don't support the message that they're trying to convey. Guest Services asked them to remove the noose and they did.
— UW-Madison Police (@UWMadisonPolice) October 30, 2016
We don't support the offensive image of a noose, but its a form of free speech. Guest Svcs. asked them to remove, they did.
— UW-Madison Police (@UWMadisonPolice) October 30, 2016
The school’s Twitter account described the scene of a lynching of the country’s president as “not cool at all,” and it said, “An image of a noose in our stadium is unacceptable.”
Not cool at all. An image of a noose in our stadium is unacceptable.
— UW–Madison (@UWMadison) October 30, 2016
When noose was spotted, we contacted the fan to remove it or leave. He complied.
— UW–Madison (@UWMadison) October 30, 2016
Masks are not allowed through security, but are permitted inside. A noose is not permitted.
— UW–Madison (@UWMadison) October 30, 2016
We agree— counter to our values and offensive.
— UW–Madison (@UWMadison) October 30, 2016
Campus police chief Sue Riseling tweeted that the fans were exercising their First Amendment rights, even though it was not in “good taste.” However, some online observers thought that the scene was not so much an exercise of free speech but an act of “hate speech.”
exercising your 1st amendment rts doesn't require good taste. Showin up #Badger in Obama mask & a noose around his neck is a prime example.
— Sue Riseling (@RiselingGroup) October 30, 2016
This is not an example of free speech. This is hate speech. This is white supremacy. This is 2016. https://t.co/KWICvMB81m
— Dr. Kim McKee (@mckeekee) October 30, 2016
Wow. Hate speech to these people is free speech. This is disgusting. https://t.co/v0yDJzXEKs
— Black Girl Nerds (@BlackGirlNerds) October 30, 2016
The university released a statement Saturday emphasizing that an individual at the game had been asked to remove “the offensive components” of “a highly insensitive and offensive costume” and that he had “complied” but had been exercising free speech. “UW-Madison is dedicated to promoting a campus environment where all people feel valued, safe and able to thrive,” the school said. “To that end, the university continues to encourage all of our community members to engage in discussion over vital issues in ways that promote greater understanding and respect for all persons.”