A group of fraternity brothers came to the rescue as a Palestinian flag was going to replace an American flag flying in the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill's quad. 

Anti-Israel protesters replaced the American flag on Tuesday which was flying at half-mast to honor four Charlotte police officers who were killed in the line of duty Monday. A Palestinian flag replaced the American flag. 

UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts sent in law enforcement officers to return the American flag to its place. Roberts raised the American flag. Some of the protesters, including outside agitators, tried to take the American flag down again, for a second time, but this time a smaller group of students sprang into action. The fraternity brothers were members of Chapel Hill's Pi Kappa Phi chapter. 

Students at UNC Chapel Hill protect the American Flag from pro-Hamas anti-American protesters who reportedly attempted to remove it. pic.twitter.com/oBDO9CjWLu

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 1, 2024

The first to respond was Guillermo Estrada. 

The Pi Kapa Phi fraternity who saved an American flag from being destroyed by anti-Israel protesters at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, has raised over $86,000 on GoFundMe to throw a party.

UNC Student Guillermo Estrada said he was walking to class when he noticed… pic.twitter.com/ra09VVtYH0

— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) May 1, 2024

"Today was a sad yet empowering day at Chapel Hill," student Guillermo Estrada, class of 2027, said in a Tuesday post on X. "When I walked to class, I saw the Palestinian flag raised on our quad flag pole, and was immediately upset at the act that these ‘protestors’ had made. 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."

Estrada added that Chancellor Roberts and officers who replaced the flag the first time "were met with profanity, middle fingers, thrown bottles, rocks, and water." Videos circulating on social media show a group of students singing the National Anthem and chanting "USA" as the American flag was returned to the pole.

"When the flag was raised once again, the Greek community began singing the National anthem. As the Chancellor left, the quad erupted into chaos as protestors began removing the flag once again, preparing to destroy it," Estrada continued. "My fraternity brother and others ran over to hold it up, in order for it not to touch the ground. People began throwing water bottles at us, rocks, sticks, calling us profane names. We stood for an hour defending the flag so many fight to protect."

Estrada comes from an immigrant family and the military community. He noted the sacrifices made by members of the military. 

A GoFundMe campaign was started to raise money so the fraternity could have a party to celebrate their good deed. The goal is to raise $100,000. As I write this, the goal has almost been reached. 

Chancellor Roberts said in an interview, "That flag will stay there as long as I am chancellor." He promised to keep all students safe from a small minority who want to disrupt campus life. He noted that the school is for everyone. How refreshing. 

On Tuesday, the university confirmed that about 30 protesters were detained when they refused to leave an encampment on the quad. The protesters received a statement from university administrators that told them to clear the site by 6:00 a.m. or face expulsion.

UNC Police approached the group at 6:00 a.m. and detained those who would not leave. The protesters began throwing things at the police and tried to block UNC Police vehicles by standing in front of them. The 30 were detained and the site was cleared in 45 minutes.

The remaining protesters escalated their behavior. They tried to enter a building by pushing officers and refusing to comply with orders from UNC Police.

Classes and non-mandatory activities were canceled Tuesday afternoon. 

Well done.