Outrage After Student Senator Recorded Throwing 2,977 9/11 Memorial Flags into Trash Bags

Controversy is raging at Washington University in St. Louis where a student was videoed taking flags displayed to commemorate the 9/11 attacks and stuffing them into garbage bags.

“To see a non-partisan, non-political memorial, disgraced without a swift response from the university says volumes,” said WU College Republicans President Nick Rodriguez, according to Young Americans for Freedom, which posted about the episode on its website.

Students had put together a display of 2,977 flags, one for each 9/11 victim, according to Fox News.

WOW: A student senator at @WUSTL was caught on video throwing away 2,977 American flags from conservative students’ 9/11: Never Forget Project memorial.

Despicable. pic.twitter.com/j6Wf1mdyLl

— YAF (@yaf) September 11, 2021

According to Student Life, the university’s student newspaper, the flags were placed on the field Friday night.

The student recorded taking them early Saturday morning was Fadel Alkilani, vice president of finance for the student union.

“I did not violate any university or legal policy. Now go away,” he said, according to YAF.

When asked why he vandalized the display, Fadel Alkilani told YAF “I did not violate any university or legal policy. Now go away.” https://t.co/UahJgoqxPp

— YAF (@yaf) September 11, 2021

In a statement to Student Life, Rodriguez wrote that Alkilani had “made a mockery of one of the most somber days in American history.”

“At minimum, I believe he should be removed from both SU and his [resident advisor] position, as what does it say to be a top American institution, and have yourself represented by a student leader who has no respect for property, campus traditions or the remembrance of thousands of lost lives,” Rodriguez wrote.

“Today is about remembering the tragedy, 20 years ago to the day, not to make a political statement. Any reason he can conjure to remove the flags I find ludicrous,” he wrote.

The university did not address the issue of consequences in its statement.

“We were disappointed to learn about the disruption to the 9/11 display on Mudd Field,” the statement from Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications Julie Flory stated. “We condemn the interference with the expression of support by the College Republicans for the victims of the national tragedy that took place 20 years ago today.”