Election protest at Ole Miss escalates, 2 arrested

Wednesday November 7, 2012 2:30 PM

HOLBROOK MOHR

The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A protest at the University of Mississippi against the re-election of President Barack Obama grew into a crowd of about 400 students with shouted racial slurs as rumors of a riot spread on social media.

Two arrests were reported. University officials say there were no injuries or property damage Tuesday night.

A university spokesman says the gathering began after midnight with 30 to 40 students protesting Obama's re-election but quickly grew. Rumors exploded on Twitter after student journalists posted a video calling the gathering a riot.

Chancellor Dan Jones condemned the disturbance, saying most students and faculty are "ashamed" of the actions of a few.

The university recently has held several events this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the enrollment of its first black student, James Meredith.

©2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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