Students punished for 'hanged Obama' stunt

Published on Wednesday 1 October 2008 22:45

A CHRISTIAN university in Oregon has said four students who confessed to hanging a likeness of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama from a tree have been punished.

George Fox University broke the news to students and staff at an all-campus meeting attended by about 1,000 people.

A statement from the school said the penalties against the students were "immediate long-term suspension and public service."

The FBI is investigating whether any civil rights were violated.

"A criminal investigation is much more rigorous than an academic one, obviously," Beth Anne Steele, an FBI spokeswoman, said. She could not say when the investigation would be complete.

Rob Felton, a university spokesman, said: "To the best of our knowledge, these are the only people involved.

"We are not pursuing it any further."

The commercially produced cardboard cutout of Mr Obama was hung from a tree last week with fishing line around the neck.

A message taped to it read: "Act Six reject." That refers to a scholarship and leadership programme for minority and low-income student leaders at Christian colleges, primarily located in the north-west of the US.

Mr Felton would not comment on the students' motive. Instead he cited a statement from Brad Lau, the university's vice-president of student life.

"Regardless of the students' intent, the image of a black man hung from a tree is one of the most hurtful symbols of racism in American history," Mr Lau's statement said. "Displays such as this have no place on a campus that is dedicated to living out the teachings of Jesus."