Students suspended as furor grows over KKK-type photos

A statement by the college president called the photographs “offensive” and “disturbing”, and said the college has begun proceedings to suspend the eight students involved.

The photos started going viral on social media on Thursday, and show the cadets dressed in white trousers and t-shirts with white pillow cases over their heads with eye slots cut out. Preliminary reports are cadets were singing Christmas carols as part of a “Ghosts of Christmas Past” skit. Rosa said the images depict an upper-class cadet and seven other cadets and that in addition to pursuing suspensions, the school is still investigating the matter.

A 19-year-old woman who would not reveal her identity discovered the photos in her Snapchat feed, she told ABC News. They were singing Christmas carols as the “Ghosts of Christmas Past”.

“These images are not consistent with our core values of honor, duty and respect”, Rosa said in a statement. “Well said. The stupid and utterly unacceptable and deeply offensive actions of a few, should not sully a whole college”.

Firestone said that she “didn’t know what to think” about the videos, and posted screen grabs of them on Facebook to get reactions from her friends.

The Citadel was founded in 1842 and has about 2,300 students in its undergraduate Corps of Cadets, with another estimated 1,000 students in its civilian program.

Photos showing cadets from Charleston-based military college, The Citadel, posing in white KKK-style hoods have prompted an investigation and suspension of the freshmen involved.

In a statement, Lamont Melvin, chairman of the Citadel Minority Alumni Association, called the social media posting “disgraceful”. At the very least, there needs to be a zero tolerance policy established immediately for racially charged and racially-motivated rhetoric and activity. “It’s time for the Confederate flag to come down at The Citadel”. Elder James Johnson, state coordinator of the South Carolina National Action Network (NAN) chapter, wants them expelled.

The cadets are also dressed in all white trousers, shoes, and short-sleeve shirts.

Citadel spokeswoman Kim Keelor-Parker said the college would have no further comment until the investigation is complete.