Members of UNCW political organizations react to spirit rock confrontation
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The UNCW campus chapter of Turning Point USA hosted a vigil Monday night in memory of its organization’s founder, Charlie Kirk.
A spirit rock located near the amphitheater where the vigil was held is a popular gathering spot for UNCW organizations and students to show support for various causes.
The rock was painted by members of the UNCW College republicans and the university’s Turning Point USA chapter.
An image of Kirk’s face, in front of an American flag, was painted on the rock, with a quote of his written on one side.
Rumors of people trying to repaint the rock began after the vigil, and on Tuesday morning, several students arrived, trying to do just that, which, according to junior Jill Chapman, led to a confrontation.
“They started coming through, talking to us civilly at first,” Chapman said. “But then, eventually leading to me getting body-checked actually. As well as a few others, she came back in and started dumping paint on the rock, all over the memorial.”
Members of the UNCW College Democrats, including president Simeon Cole, were there during the confrontation, trying to prevent the rock from being painted over.
A school spokesperson says the spirit rock is a platform for freedom of expression and students typically paint the rock multiple times per week.
Students are asked not to repaint new artwork on the rock for at least 24 hours out of courtesy, but no policy requires this.
UNCW College Republican President Reagan Faulkner said this policy needs to be more properly enforced.
“At the end of the day, you can wait 24 hours; it’s not that much of a time period,” Faulkner said. “I think you should be able to put whatever you want up there and I think there should be a policy that says it’s going to stay for 24 hours. And if it doesn’t, then I think that those students should be held accountable.”
Elizabeth Barbee, an executive member of UNCW’s Turning Point USA chapter, said this incident is symbolic of the political divide in the country.
“It has to be one or the other. We can’t come together, we can’t have 24 hours of one, or 24 hours of the other, where you have to throw it on ours. This is what we’re at.”
The students who painted over the rock were not affiliated with either of UNCW’s political organizations, with leaders of both condemning their actions.
