The bridge connecting the East and West bank of the Mississippi continued its tradition of serving as a unifying staple for student groups across the University. Every year, student groups paint their logo on certain parts of the bridge in order to represent their group and recruit membership. Unfortunately, this year members of College Republicans were harassed by a few people that were passing by that found their painting on the bridge to be “offensive”. The painting seemingly represents a play on the popular TV series “The Walking Dead” and is aimed to showcase the second amendment of the constitution- something that republicans state-wide overwhelmingly support. As seen in this image, it is soldiers holding rifles to protect against an incoming “attack” of zombies.

A few by-passers approached the painters of the mural and claimed that it was offensive because they believed that it made light of mass shootings and it would offend people that have been negatively affected because of gun violence. Not only did they threaten to complain, but they demanded that the College Republicans covered their mural until the complaint was resolved. Tom Jansen, the secretary of College Republicans at the University said that he was sorry that the mural was thought to be offensive or with malicious intent, but “it is part of our right to display this mural and the second amendment is something that the student group strongly believes in”.

However, college republicans cooperated and asked one of the administrators in charge about whether they have to cover up their painting. The response was no, but the harassment against members of college republicans continued. On social media and on the bridge, the painters were being targeted as insensitive and unreasonable. Nonetheless, College Republicans responded by apologizing for the fact that people found their blatant pop-culture reference to be offensive. According to Jansen, it is the hope of members of the student organization that people that pass by will appreciate the obvious intent of the mural and that the administration will honor their freedom to promote their second amendment right!