NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Officials at a Tennessee university say six nooses arranged in the colors of the rainbow were part of an art display for a sculpture class and were not intended to be a political statement or hate symbol.
Austin Peay State University President Alisa White told students Tuesday that the unnamed student who made them was concerned about the perception of the display and apologetic.
The nooses were hung from a tree near the art building at the Clarksville campus Monday afternoon. Campus police removed them after a complaint.
The student issued a statement saying the display was meant to invoke the cycle of death and rebirth represented by springtime.
Some students at a community forum Tuesday were skeptical that anyone would not know nooses are a symbol of lynching.
Clock could run out on efforts to defund UT diversity office