Full Breakdown
Congressman Mike Collins Faces Backlash Over Ole Miss Protest Video
5/20/2026, 11:15:27 PM
Controversial Video and Immediate Backlash
Georgia Rep. Mike Collins posted a video from a University of Mississippi demonstration on X, captioned “Ole Miss taking care of business.” The clip shows a counter-protester making monkey noises and gestures toward a Black student during a pro-Palestine rally, sparking criticism.
Context of Campus Pro-Palestine Demonstrations
The protest was part of campus actions against the Israel-Hamas war. About 30 students gathered near main library, chanting “Free, free Palestine” and displaying Palestinian flags. Security barriers separated them from a larger group of hecklers.
Timeline of Key Moments
- Thursday: protest and counter-protest, monkey gestures recorded.
- Friday: Collins posted the video with the “Ole Miss taking care of business” caption; Georgia NAACP called the retweet “seriously unacceptable.”
- Monday: Collins issued a statement emphasizing First Amendment rights and condemning discrimination.
- Subsequent days: Chancellor Glenn Boyce opened a conduct investigation; Gov. Tate Reeves reposted an anthem video.
Data Snapshot
The protest involved roughly 30 demonstrators; campus demographics for 2022-23 were 76 % white and 11 % Black. Nationwide campus arrests since April 17 total over 2,400 across 46 institutions.
Official Statements & Responses
Collins said he supports the First Amendment but rejects any racism, calling the conduct “potentially inappropriate.” Chancellor Boyce affirmed Ole Miss’s commitment to free expression while labeling some remarks “offensive and unacceptable,” prompting a conduct inquiry. The Georgia NAACP described Collins’s retweet as unacceptable and urged a House Ethics Committee review.
Criticism & Opposition
Leaders said the monkey gesture exemplifies racism on campuses. Professor James M. Thomas noted that students seeking an end to genocide faced racism, while Rev. Cornell William Brooks argued the act was unrelated to the Israel-Palestine debate.
On-the-Ground Account
Video shows a Black woman confronting white hecklers; one heckler responded with monkey noises and gestures. Campus police and the dean of students stood between the groups. No arrests were made.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Collins claimed the video’s focus was not the racist gesture, yet the footage prominently displays the monkey act. Ole Miss opened a single conduct investigation, but it is unclear whether additional cases will be pursued.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ole Miss taking care of business,” — Rep. Mike Collins
- “Students were calling for an end to genocide. They were met with racism,” — James M. Thomas, sociology professor
- “isn’t about ‘Stand With Israel’ or ‘Free Palestine.’ This is protest as performative racism.” — Rev. Cornell William Brooks
- “To be clear, people who say horrible things to people because of who they are will not find shelter or comfort on this campus,” — Glenn Boyce, Chancellor
Implications and Next Steps
The incident highlights tension between free-speech advocacy and anti-racism enforcement on campuses, prompting legislative scrutiny of Collins and urging Ole Miss to review its conduct policies. Ongoing investigations will determine whether further disciplinary measures are required.
