Student arrested for wearing gorilla mask to protest

September 29, 2016 at 9:35 a.m. | Updated September 29, 2016 at 9:36 a.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In a Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 file photo, family members of Jamar Clark get out of a limousine to show show support for the Black Lives Matter supporters as Clark's the funeral procession passed by the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct, in Minneapolis. Clark's death in a confrontation with police has sparked more than a week of protests. Activists have demanded not just answers in the investigation but public policy changes to address issues of economic injustice. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT; ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS OUT; MAGS OUT; TWIN CITIES LOCAL TELEVISION OUT
FILE - In a Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 file photo, family members of Jamar Clark get out of a limousine to show show support for the Black Lives Matter supporters as Clark's the funeral procession passed by the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct, in Minneapolis. Clark's death in a confrontation with police has sparked more than a week of protests. Activists have demanded not just answers in the investigation but public policy changes to address issues of economic injustice. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT; ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS OUT; MAGS OUT; TWIN CITIES LOCAL TELEVISION OUT

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) - A student at East Tennessee State University has been arrested for disrupting a Black Lives Matter event on campus wearing a gorilla mask, carrying around a rope and trying to hand out bananas.

Media outlets report that Tristan Rettke was charged with one count of civil rights intimidation.

Witnesses took photos and video of the man walking up to demonstrators carrying a burlap sack that had a marijuana leaf and a Confederate battle flag printed on it. Rettke told police that we went to the event to provoke protesters.

The university in a statement expressed outrage at Rettke's conduct and commended students for exercising restraint in the face of offensive behavior.

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