A freshman student at Eastern Tennessee State Univeristy was arrested Wednesday after wearing a gorilla mask and taunting Black Lives Matter protesters.
According to the Johnson City Press, freshman, Tristan Rettke was charged with 'civil rights intimidation' after he dressed up in overalls and a gorilla mask, and tried to offer Black Lives Matter protesters 'noose wrapped bananas.'
BLM protesters harassed by a white guy in a gorrilla mask w/ bananas, rope, and a confederate flag bag. Y'all mad at dude taking a knee tho pic.twitter.com/Zy5NxpiXv7
— Julie (@home_skilletb) September 28, 2016
Eastern Tennessee State University. A place where one student snapped. Now, @etsu says criminal charges are pending. #FedUp pic.twitter.com/oZW9e25gM9
— LeonGoudikian (@LeonGoudikian) September 29, 2016
Rettke was also reported by the Johnson City Press, saying “I’m just the gorilla, I identify as the gorilla. I’m just supporting my people.”
Eastern Tennessee University responded with a statement on their Facebook page about the incident:
Rettke has been placed on interim suspension and could be facing criminal charges for the incident. Find the full story on the Johnson City Press' website.
