Purdue student expelled for 'racist and despicable' posts on social media

WEST LAFAYETTE — A Purdue University undergraduate has been expelled for making racist statements on social media, according to a news release from the university.

The Exponent, Purdue's student newspaper, reported that the student, incoming sophomore Maxwell Lawrence, posted a video on TikTok about running over protesters and made racist comments in a group chat.

Late last week, Purdue spokesman Tim Doty indicated in an email to The Exponent that the university would not punish students for statements on personal social media accounts, saying Purdue was "committed to freedom of expression" and cannot punish students' speech "no matter how offensive or vile."

But on Tuesday, Purdue President Mitch Daniels decided to expel Lawrence.

Daniels "determined that, in addition to being racist and despicable, repeated statements posted on social media by Lawrence appear plainly intended to incite others, and therefore, create a risk of public safety issues in the current environment," the university announced on its website.

Read more: https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/purdue-student-expelled-for-racist-and-despicable-posts-on-social-media/article_16d57446-b634-11ea-af57-438e328c5c70.html