MU spokesman says university is prepared for political protests ahead of November election

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

In August, students will return to the University of Missouri's campus for the 2024 fall semester, months before the presidential election.

Students are also returning after former President Donald Trump was grazed in the ear by a bullet in an assassination attempt on Saturday during a rally in Pennsylvania. A spokesman for the University, Christian Basi, said the school is prepared for the possibility of protests on campus and encourages them, as long as they're done so in a peaceful manner.

Basi said the university asks students and speakers to let them know of their plans beforehand, and wants to ensure what's expected of them is known.

Basi also said part of this is knowing specifically where the protest will occur.

"We ask for those organizers to work with us so we know the extent of it, we know where you're gonna be on campus," Basi said. "If you deviate from a course that you said you were going to be on, that creates challenges for us in helping keep the community safe if something should happen so the more information they can give us, the better," Basi said.

Basi said the university is in constant discussion about the possibility of protests and political activity, even during the summer months.

The university is known for student protests happening throughout the year. Both semesters last school year featured several protests and gatherings. In April, 100 students protested on campus calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as tension between Israel and Hamas grew. Basi said the university has a basic safety plan in place that's overseen by MUPD.

However, Basi said they review each individual event and makes adjustments, if necessary.

"If we look at someone who's coming in or a student group that's contacted us and say 'hey the content of your stuff may be controversial. Let's talk about safety plans and we will go into a conversation about okay what are all the what ifs? Basi said.

Basi noted the university has had a good track record of peaceful protests over the years. However, he said there have been a few incidents where property damage was reported.

Basi also said the secret service would primarily handle security in the event a presidential candidate came to the campus.