Last semester, on Sept. 17, 2025, President Roberts posted the following statement on social media:
"[...] We unequivocally condemn this conduct, which is antithetical to values we hold dear in the Auburn Creed. Every member of the Auburn Family has a responsibility to help foster a civil, respectful and supportive campus environment. Actions that endorse, glorify or trivialize violence undermine that responsibility, have no place at Auburn and fall short of the community of respect and integrity we work hard each day to uphold," the statement said. "We take that responsibility seriously. As educators, we harbor an obligation to provide students with a healthy university environment, one where they can express themselves civilly and engage with multiple perspectives. Incidents that promote or condone violence are unacceptable, and individuals involved in such conduct may be subject to suspension or other personnel actions as determined by the university. [...] We remain steadfast in that commitment and remain committed to fostering a campus environment that is both respectful and safe."
Whether or not your decision to fire these employees violated their First Amendment rights is now a matter for the courts, since several of them are suing Auburn University.
However, I was reminded of your statement on Saturday, Jan. 24, as I participated in a peaceful protest over the actions of ICE in Minnesota, and especially the shooting of Alex Pretti, at Toomer's Corner from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
After the Auburn men's basketball team won their game against the Florida Gators, many Auburn community members also came to Toomer's to roll the trees. Many hurled insults in response to the protest that I found personally disgusting and a poor reflection on Auburn, but as a history professor, I believe in the importance of free speech.
However, some went further and explicitly promoted violence. In particular, I would call your attention to the attached video, also provided in my official report to Campus Safety, in which the man in the orange hat can be clearly heard yelling: "All the Mexicans out, all the Mexicans out: shoot 'em all!"
I wonder if your response to these "incidents that promote or condone violence" will be as vigorous as it was in September.
With the expectation that you intend to "remain committed to fostering a campus environment that is both respectful and safe," I have decided to share this letter publicly, and hope that you will make your actions in response to this incident public as well.
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Dr. Kate Craig is an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in Auburn's department of history.
