A student read a Dr. Seuss book in front of the demonstrator, who held up a Bible. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
By Sophie Lange, News Editor
On Tuesday, a man who identified himself as “Brother Ray” started a demonstration on campus where he spoke loudly about topics such as religion, the LGBTQ+ community, sorority women, and female athletes.
The man began his demonstration on Stine Lake before Gettysburg College Campus Safety officers asked him for a form of identification, to which he replied that he had none. Campus Safety Officer Brian Wood shared that Campus Safety then escorted him away from Stine Lake because he was causing a disturbance on private property. The man then moved to the sidewalk outside of Servo.
The man filmed his interactions with students as they attempted to speak with him. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
“There’s not much we can do about it on a public sidewalk,” Wood said. “If he creates more of an issue, it would be [the Borough of] Gettysburg’s issue at that time. We’re just standing over here and making sure there’s no students involved… We don’t need anyone getting in trouble for the nonsense that he wants to create.”
As the man spoke, students gathered across the street on college property. Over the hours that the man was standing in front of Servo, students responded to his demonstration by holding LGBTQ+ pride flags, playing live music over what he was saying, and reading children’s books to him. Individual students did approach the man to speak with him, but it is unknown what was said.
Students began playing music over the man’s speech. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Some students viewed the man’s demonstration as a form of entertainment.
Regarding the man on campus, Archer Castle ’24 said, “I’m so glad about the entertainment opportunities that are available to all students on campus.”
Other students felt the demonstration was an interesting opportunity to hear the opinions and beliefs of the campus community.
“To be able to witness other people’s opinions in this type of environment is very eye-opening, especially during an election year,” Sydnee-Marie Edusei ’24 said.
Eventually, the man left and students dispersed.
Editor-in-Chief Laken Franchetti contributed to this article.
Students gathered outside of CUB and Stine Hall to watch the demonstration. (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
The demonstrator called himself “Brother Ray.” (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
