College students protesting U.S. Senate candidate David Duke grew violent outside a Dillard College auditorium where the former Ku Klux Klansman debated the five other candidates in the Louisiana election on Wednesday night.
A group of demonstrators from the campus group, Socially Engaged Dillard University Students, surrounded the empty building, chanting and carrying signs with messages in opposition to Duke’s candidacy. Attendees were not allowed inside the empty building after Raycom Media, the event sponsor, announced the debate would not include an audience, though organizers did not give a reason for the decision.
Protesters attempted to force their way into the building’s lobby despite a heavy police presence at the doors. One man was lifted over the officers guarding the entryway and police officers aimed their tasers at him, though did not use the devices.
At least two people were arrested and later released. Others were pepper sprayed by police as they attempted to forcibly enter the building.
Pepper spray deployed on students and crowd at Dillard pic.twitter.com/nCMTYbjlAv— Caresse Jackman (@CaresseJ) November 3, 2016
Duke received more than the 5 percent threshold necessary to participate in the debate. In addition to Duke, the Republican candidates include state Treasurer John Kennedy, Rep. John Fleming and Rep. Charles Boustany Jr. The two Democratic candidates are Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell and lawyer Caroline Fayard.
Earlier, the group released a letter explaining why they oppose having the former KKK grand wizard participate in the debate at the college, a historically African-American institution. They also requested 150 students be allowed to attend the debate
“Everything David Duke promotes is an anathema to us, a Historically Black College & University,” the letter stated. “Instead of denying the presence of this terrorist onto our campus, our school’s president has assured his safety by Dillard University armed police, against us, the Dillard University student body.”
