A pro-life student display at Miami University in Ohio was the subject of an online threat that led to the felony arrest of a student, according to Students for Life of America.
The incident began on October 28 when a post appeared on the anonymous social media platform Yik Yak. Screenshots suggest a user asked, "How many dining dollars to Kirk the anti abortion table in Armstrong," an apparent reference to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The group was hosting a campus display at the time.
Grace Kimzey, Ohio Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America, told Fox News Digital that a student alerted her to the post. "We had our display, we were towards the end of our tabling in our tour when a student saw a post online at Yik Yak," Kimzey said. "He was just keeping tabs on what’s being talked about on social media, about our table and about our display. So we saw that, and then I immediately called the Miami Police Department just to keep our students safe."
Students for Life of America reported that a 19-year-old Miami University student was arrested on November 2. The student faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat, along with misdemeanor charges including inducing panic, aggravated menacing, and telecommunications harassment. The case has also been referred to the FBI.
Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, stated that the climate for free speech has deteriorated, citing instances where students have made references to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. "I’ve asked students just to their faces when they will say something about Charlie," Hawkins said. "They’ll laugh, I’ll say, ‘Do you think it was funny what happened to my friend, that he was assassinated, a husband and a father who was a good man by all accounts? You think this was funny?’ And they’ll just continue to laugh."
Hawkins recounted an interaction where a student responded affirmatively when asked if it was moral to shoot someone with whom one disagrees.
A spokesperson for Miami University stated that due to FERPA, the university cannot confirm specific disciplinary actions. "Every Miami student is afforded their due process rights through our Code of Student Conduct," the spokesperson said. "The university handles any reports of possible policy violations by students or violations of law through the Office of Community Standards and through campus and local law enforcement, with potential sanctions that vary based on the alleged violation and a student’s previous conduct history."