Belmont University Students Protest Rep. Ogles Visit Over Anti-Muslim Comments
Rep. Andy Ogles faced student protests at Belmont University over his anti-Muslim statements, with demonstrators claiming his visit violated school policies.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Students at Belmont University protested Monday during a visit by U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, citing concerns over his anti-Muslim statements and alleging his appearance violated school policies.
Protesters gathered outside the room where Ogles spoke at an event sponsored by the Belmont College Republicans, shouting “You aren’t welcome here, Andy Ogles!” according to video footage of the incident.
The congressman’s campus appearance occurred less than a year after he called for a federal investigation into the Nashville university for allegedly rebranding its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in what he termed “defiance” of President Donald Trump’s executive order banning diversity programs at colleges.
Student Concerns Over Anti-Muslim Statements
Grace McNamara, a Belmont student who volunteers with Nashville Indivisible, a progressive organization started after Trump’s 2016 election, raised specific concerns about Ogles’s recent comments targeting Muslims in America.
In her email to the Belmont Office of Student Engagement, McNamara highlighted Ogles’s March 9 social media post on X, where he wrote “Muslims don’t belong in American society.” She cited this as one of several anti-Muslim statements made by the congressman.
“Congressman Ogles consistently speaks and acts in ways that contradict the values of Belmont University,” McNamara wrote. “Because of this, his presence on campus constitutes a potential threat to the safety and well-being of students.”
University Values at Issue
McNamara referenced the student handbook, known as the Bruin Guide, which affirms the university’s commitment to “the dignity and worth of every person.” She argued that Ogles’s presence on campus conflicted with these stated institutional values.
The protest highlighted ongoing tensions between the congressman and the Nashville university over diversity programs and campus policies. Ogles had previously targeted Belmont for what he characterized as attempts to circumvent federal directives regarding DEI initiatives.
College Republicans Event Proceeds Despite Opposition
Despite the protests outside, the Belmont College Republicans event featuring Ogles proceeded as scheduled. The student organization had invited the congressman to speak on campus, though specific details about his remarks during the event were not immediately available.
The incident reflects broader debates occurring on college campuses nationwide regarding speaker policies and the balance between free speech and campus safety concerns. Student activists continue to challenge appearances by political figures whose statements they view as discriminatory or harmful to campus communities.
Belmont University officials have not publicly responded to the student complaints or provided comment on whether Ogles’s visit violated any institutional policies regarding campus speakers.
