‘Proud to be an American’: UNC frat brothers receive nationwide support for defending American flag during campus protest

Members of a University of North Carolina fraternity received widespread support after a viral video captured them safeguarding the American flag during an anti-Israel protest on campus.

On Tuesday, members of Pi Kappa Phi at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill worked to ensure the American flag did not touch the ground as anti-Israel protestors attempted to remove it from a flag pole for a second time.

During his walk to class, frat member Guillermo Estrada noticed protestors had taken down the American flag in UNC’s quad and replaced it with the Palestinian flag.

“When I walked to class, I saw the Palestinian flag raised on our quad flagpole, and was immediately upset at the act that these ‘protestors’ had made,” Estrada shared on X. “I cannot say I am fully educated on the Israel/Palestine conflict, but it upset me that my country’s flag was disrespected in order to advocate for another.”  

Soon after, Chancellor Lee Roberts and law enforcement officers arrived to replace the Palestinian flag with the American one, while protesters shouted obscenities, hurled objects and gestured rudely.  

While the American flag was being raised, the Greek community came together to sing the national anthem, according to Estrada.  

“As the Chancellor left, the quad erupted into chaos as protestors began removing the flag once again, preparing to destroy it,” Estrada recalled.  

The fraternity brothers and some others quickly surrounded the flag, holding it up to ensure it didn’t touch the ground.  

“People began throwing water bottles at us, rocks, sticks, callings us profane names,” Estrada stated.  

They held the flag up for an hour until police officers came to clear the protestors from the quad.  

“My LDOC will be memorable in knowing that my fraternity brothers and others fought to keep the flag up,” Estrada wrote on X. “But it [will] also be memorable in knowing that so many yearn to disrespect it.”  

Another Pi Kappa Phi member, Alex Jones, echoed Estrada patriotic sentiments.  

“My decision yesterday to protect the flag of the United States was not about any other nation,” Jones wrote on X. “It was simply about the importance of our country and the values we believe in. 

“I am honored to give back to the nation that has given me and my family countless opportunities. I owe everything to the hard work of my parents and this great nation, and I am proud to be among those who stood up for it yesterday. 

“I am proud to be an American.”  

After footage of the event went viral, a GoFundMe page was set up for the Pi Kappa Phi. 

“These boys…no, men, of the UNC Chapel Hill Pi Kappa Phi, gave the best to America and now they deserve the best,” the fundraiser stated.  

By Friday, more than $500,000 had been raised. 

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer force of patriotism on display,” John Noonan, who organized the fundraiser, told Newsweek. “What started as a simple gesture to reward a courageous act has captured the attention of millions, representing a wide spectrum of the American public.” 

Noonan, who is not affiliated with the UNC chapter of the fraternity, told Newsweek the money will be used to throw the promised party, as well as to donate to charitable organizations. The publication also reports “an independent entity, featuring a board of directors along with representation from the fraternity, is being formed to ensure that the funds are used according to donor intent.”