Damphousse responds to post-election day demonstration; students embrace diverse community

By Felicity Guajardo  

Co-Director of News and Culture  

President Damphousse released a statement to the university Thursday at noon after posting his response on Instagram regarding demonstrators non-affiliated with Texas State holding signs reading disturbing statements in the Quad on Wednesday afternoon.  

The University Star covered the protest and reported hundreds of students and community members leading a counter-protest in response to the demonstrator’s signs, one reading “Women are property” on the front and “Types of Property: Women, Slaves, Animals, Cars, Land etc.” on the back and the other reading “Homo Sex is Sin.”  

Damphousse expresses disheartening feelings toward the demonstration in his email and condemns the actions of the demonstrators.  

“Messages like the ones expressed by the demonstrators, sow confusion, anger, distrust, bitterness, fear, and anxiety (none of which belong on our campuses). While TXST is legally committed to protecting free speech on our campuses, we understand that words can negatively impact members of our community. I condemn the hateful words these two men wrote and spoke while they were on our campus,” Damphousse wrote.  

He also says that while he does not condone the message of the demonstrators Texas State is a public institution where people are allowed to speak freely in common areas of campus under the Expressive Activities Policy.  

“We cannot restrict lawful access to our campus, nor may we limit what people say verbally or in writing so long as that speech falls within the legal bounds of the freedom of speech and assembly that is guaranteed by the First Amendment,” Damphousse wrote.  

On Thursday, the day after the demonstration, different groups of students set up by the Stallions statue throughout the day promoting positive messages to the community, helping students feel comfortable on campus.  

Jordyn Thompson, wildlife biology student at Texas State, said she was demonstrating what the First Amendment should be used for.  

“It [First Amendment] should be used for love and not hate. And the fact that people came here yesterday to spread hate, it’s sad, and the fact that Texas State students were able to come back and protest with love was just so amazing to see, and that’s why I’m out here, to show love and show what the 1st Amendment should be used for,” Thompson said.  

Many students expressed their opinion on what actions should have been taken in response to Texas State’s statement shortly after the demonstration on Wednesday.  

Delaney Mullee, a psychology student at Texas State, said the original statement by Texas State on Instagram was insufficient.  

“Honestly, I was upset at the original statement that Texas State put out just because it was so lackluster to me…they were just trying to cover their own skin, save their own skin as opposed to actually make a statement of understanding to the students and the faculty,” Mullee said. “But with KDamp’s statement I mean especially his one on Instagram I felt that a lot of the things were addressed.”  

Jerard Mosely, a musical theatre student, said there was one thing everyone can do to support the Texas State community.  

“Please don’t lose hope. You can make a change, whether that’s small, medium, big, whatever size it is. One small little step is a big step for everybody,” Mosely said.  

 All photos by Eli Strickland @eliwithacamera on Instagram. Permission to use photos by Eli Strickland. 

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