Falwell won't 'turn the other cheek' on media reports; student protest planned at Liberty University

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, Joe.My.God:

TODAY: Liberty University Students To Protest Against Jerry Falwell Jr. As He Vows Revenge Against His Critics
September 13, 2019

Religion News Service reports:

In the wake of reports alleging objectionable rhetoric and conduct by Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., students at the evangelical Christian school plan to call for internal and external investigations into the president and administration at a protest on campus Friday (Sept. 13).

“We are not calling for Falwell to resign right now,” said Elizabeth Brooks, a sophomore at the school and the main organizer of the student protest. But in a mission statement Brooks wrote, she stated that the official position of the demonstration is to “bring to light the truth of these allegations of various misconduct.”

Brooks and her fellow student Ian Parish, who is assisting with the protest’s efforts, said they have seen a shift in the student body against Falwell that hasn’t been seen in the school’s recent history. “The mood is changing from ‘We wish Jerry would keep quiet’ to ‘We wish we had better representation for our school,’” Parish said. “Jerry doesn’t have our best interests at heart. He doesn’t share Liberty’s mission statement to train champions for Christ.”

The Lynchburg News & Advance reports:

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. said Thursday evening he has the full confidence of the school’s board of trustees and the university is moving forward with legal action against leakers who have helped fuel a cascade of recent media reports alleging misconduct under his stewardship.

“If it was me, I’d turn the other cheek but this is not me,” Falwell said. “This is Liberty University and I have no choice but to do what is in the best interest of the university and that means unfortunately taking action against these people.”

Falwell’s comments come on the heels of a new report from Reuters alleging he used demeaning language to refer to students and the school’s police chief. It also comes on the eve of a planned student protest directed at Falwell.

In an interview with The News & Advance, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. disputes recently published allegations and says of email leakers, "It’s like they’re just asking to be put in jail. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen." https://buff.ly/2O0xPlk

Link to tweet

FEATURED
Falwell won't 'turn the other cheek' on media reports; student protest planned at Liberty University
By Richard Chumney [e-mail] Sep 12, 2019 Updated 11 hrs ago

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. said Thursday evening he has the full confidence of the school’s board of trustees and the university is moving forward with legal action against leakers who have helped fuel a cascade of recent media reports alleging misconduct under his stewardship.

“If it was me, I’d turn the other cheek but this is not me,” Falwell said. “This is Liberty University and I have no choice but to do what is in the best interest of the university and that means unfortunately taking action against these people.”

Falwell’s comments come on the heels of a new report from Reuters alleging he used demeaning language to refer to students and the school’s police chief. It also comes on the eve of a planned student protest directed at Falwell.
....

In response to the allegations in Politico Magazine, Liberty students have planned a protest for today. They will rally on the steps of the Montview Student Union following the end of today’s convocation.

Organizer Elizabeth Brooks, a junior, said the student protesters will call for an investigation into the allegations, greater transparency from the university and accountability for Falwell.

Falwell said Thursday evening he welcomes the demonstration.
....

Richard Chumney covers breaking news and public safety for The News & Advance. Reach him at [phone].

LOCAL NEWS
Protest scheduled at Liberty Univ. following explosive POLITICO story on President Jerry Falwell Jr.

Posted: Sep 12, 2019 / 11:53 AM EDT / Updated: Sep 12, 2019 / 11:53 AM EDT

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — Following an explosive POLITICO story alleging self-dealing and intimidation by Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, Jr., student protests are expected Friday, Sept. 13.

Liberty students are expected to protest tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. at the Montview Stairs.

An email from the group “Students for Change” says they will call for an investigation into allegations against Falwell in the POLITICO story, which cited unnamed sources and previously unreleased emails.

“Our mission statement is to bring to light the truth of these allegations of various misconduct as brought forth by the Politico Magazine article,” the group said in an email to WFXR News. “We are demanding and investigation both internal and external. Students for Change seeks to hold our leaders and administrators accountable for their actions.”

Word of the protests comes on the same day Reuters reporting uncovered emails which purport to show Falwell using denigrating language against students and staff of Liberty University.

Falwell told the Associated Press earlier this week that he was the target of an “attempted coup” by the unnamed people quoted in the POLITICO article. He has reportedly requested the FBI look into the matter.

Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

https://twitter.com/WFXRnews

[tanyev]

1. It'd be a real shame if enrollment at Liberty U plummeted.

A real shame.

[empedocles]

3. Falwell Jr. is uniquely positioned to really test the students; like trump is really testing his

voters. Birds of a feather.

[walkingman]

2. Falwell is not playing with a full deck. Follow the money.

[edbermac]

4. Look like somebody's cheeks are going to be spanked big time.

[malaise]

5. Pool Boy's friend thinks he's above scrutiny

This is not going to end well for him

[ChubbyStar]

9. PBF is a great meme

I hope it gets traction!

[Marcuse]

6. Heretics and blasphemers, whether student or staff, surely shall be punished.

[Permanut]

7. Gosh, his Daddy would be so proud..

The turd doesn't fall far from the asshole.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

8. Photos: Liberty University students react to recent news regarding LU President Jerry Falwell Jr.

Hat tip, Joe.My.God:

Liberty University Students Protest Falwell [VIDEO]
September 13, 2019

The Associated Press reports:

Students at Liberty University in Virginia have gathered to protest in the wake of news reports containing allegations that school president Jerry Falwell Jr. “presides over a culture of self-dealing” and improperly benefited from the institution.

The News & Advance reports the students gathered Friday at the private evangelical university in Lynchburg. Photos show students holding signs calling for accountability and an investigation.

Falwell also allegedly insulted some Liberty students, calling them “social misfits”, “emotionally imbalanced and physically retarded”, and the school’s police chief a “half-wit”.

The Daily Progress reports:

Falwell acknowledged both of the emails in the article were authentic but said his comments lacked full context. “The chief of police spoke out against my idea to allow concealed carry on campus and that was the reason I was saying things that weren’t so nice about him,” he said, referring to a 2011 policy allowing visitors, students and staff who have concealed-weapons permits to carry guns on campus.

“And I told him today, ‘you and I disagree; I bad mouthed you a little bit, that’s called business.’” “I’m going to be me no matter what,” he added. “That never will change and I will say whatever I think whenever I want to say it. My comments are always appropriate for whatever happened and sometimes it might not be the most pleasant thing in the world but you know what, that’s a part of running a business.”

{snip several tweets from local TV stations and the Lynchburg News & Advance.}

Photos: Liberty University students react to recent news regarding LU President Jerry Falwell Jr.
Photos by Taylor Irby & Emily Elconin 2 hrs ago

Liberty University students gathered Friday, Sept. 13 at a protest on campus. The event came after recent media reports, including one from Reuters alleging LU President Jerry Falwell Jr. used demeaning language in emails to refer to students and the school’s police chief. As the protest began, about 20 people participated while dozens of others looked on. Some in attendance were there in support of Falwell.

MORE: Falwell won't 'turn the other cheek' on media reports; student protest planned at Liberty University

Liberty student protest 01



Students hold signs during a student protest at Liberty University in Lynchburg on Sept. 13, 2019.
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Liberty student protest 03



Students pray during a student protest at Liberty University in Lynchburg on Sept. 13, 2019.

Taylor Irby/The News & Advance
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Liberty student protest 06



Elizabeth Brooks, a junior in politics and policy, holds a sign with other protesters during a student protest at Liberty University in Lynchburg on Sept. 13, 2019.

Taylor Irby/The News & Advance
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Liberty student protest 09



Students hold signs during a student protest at Liberty University in Lynchburg on Sept. 13, 2019.
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Taylor Irby
Photojournalist at The News & Advance

Reach Taylor at [phone] or [e-mail].

Emily Elconin
Photojournalist for The News & Advance

Reach Emily at [phone] or [e-mail]