Western Washington University Closes Tuesday In Response to Social Media Threats

Western Washington University officials canceled classes Wednesday, November 24, after reading social media posts they said targeted students of color protesting the school’s Viking mascot. They’re not certain the two are connected, he said, “but we’re definitely looking into it”.

While police have found no threat to safety on Western Washington’s general campus, Shepard cancelled classes for Tuesday after disturbing content continued to be posted early in the morning, raising students’ fears, he said. So, I have chose to cancel classes today in order to provide that time.

He says the move is not quote “a capitulation to trolls and lowlifes”, but rather a pause to begin a criminal investigation.

“We take the feelings of safety of our students very, very seriously”, he said.

For some students, finding offense in a mascot was an indication that concerns about stereotyping had gone too far.

“… I think this mascot also reflects a sort of hyper masculine, hyper violent sort of image which is doubly problematic”.

“That is a really very bad thing, and this is the way we want to respond”, said Shelby Duffy, 19, after singing “Amazing Grace” with other students.

The University of IL, Pennsylvania State University and other schools have asked Facebook to remove such pages bearing their university names, calling them a violation of campus values and their trademarks.

WWU Office of Communications Director Paul Cocke told KGMI Radio the hate speech may be tied to a controversy involving the university mascot, but the motive has not been confirmed.

Western Washington UniversityNo wonder kids today don’t know the difference between “hate speech” and actual threats of violence.

These are likely crimes in my view (and in the view of those in the criminal justice system we immediately involved).

In a message on the school’s website – and sent to members of WWU’s community via email – President Bruce Shepard said a law enforcement investigation is underway.

The university is working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats.