UA SGA warns student disruptions during LSU game will lead to loss of reserved seating
November 6, 2019
UPDATE Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 9:40 p.m.
President Donald Trump confirmed during a Wednesday night rally in Monroe, Louisiana that he would be attending the Alabama vs LSU game on Saturday.
“This Saturday I’m going to be at a certain game,” he said to the crowd. “It’s LSU vs a pretty good team from Alabama.”
Jason Rothfarb, vice president of Student Affairs, issued a letter on Tuesday evening addressing additional security measures for the Alabama vs LSU game on Saturday and asked student organizations to arrive at the stadium no later than 12:30 p.m.
The letter goes on to say that any organizations “that engage in disruptive behavior during the game will be removed from block seating instantly for the remainder of the season.”
Rothfarb issued an additional statement at 2:02 p.m. to clarify his comments regarding “disruptive behavior.”
“As with other games this season, Organization’s Block Seating locations will be clearly marked, but at a certain time, other students can and should have access to open seats,” Rothfarbs’s statement read. “By disruptive behavior we are asking students to be respectful of all students, and staff and avoid altercations. My email had nothing to do with anyone’s First Amendment rights, and I am sorry for any confusion. Please express yourselves and especially your pride for the Tide!”
President Donald Trump will reportedly attend the Alabama vs LSU game on Saturday. The University has not issued a statement confirming his attendance.
Christopher Walsh of BamaCentral broke the news early Monday afternoon, but the original report did not have confirmation from UA officials. Shortly afterward, CNN White House correspondent and UA alumna Kaitlan Collins tweeted that the president was expected to attend the game.
“President Trump is currently expected to attend the Alabama-LSU game this Saturday, I’m told. No word on my whereabouts yet but stay tuned.”
The UA SGA issued a statement following an AL.com article that implied the SGA told student organizations that they would lose their block seating if they protested Trump’s potential attendance.
“The SGA strongly affirms its belief in free speech and the rights of all students to express their opinions. Today’s report erroneously assigned a political context to a message meant only to remind students about heightened security and the consequences of alterations or other behaviors unbecoming of a University of Alabama student, as defined in the Capstone Creed.
We look forward to cheering on the Crimson Tide, alongside the student body, on Saturday afternoon.”
The AL.com article was originally titled “Alabama SGA warns groups: Protest Trump during LSU game, risk losing reserved seating.” The headline was later changed to read “Ahead of Trump visit, UA SGA warns students of disruptive behavior.”
The face-off between currently ranked No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Trump has previously seen the Crimson Tide compete in person during the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Atlanta in January of 2018.
The game will be the third sporting event Trump has attended in the last two weeks, following a World Series game in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 27 and a UFC event in New York on Saturday. The president was met with boos at both events, with a chant of “Lock him up” breaking out in the crowd during the World Series game.