Wisconsin Releases Statement on Offensive Fan Costume

While Nebraska and Wisconsin were engaged in a fun football game Saturday night, a pair of fans at Camp Randall Stadium showed up in costumes that appeared to depict Donald Trump lynching President Barack Obama and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

A different fan at the game captured an image of the costumes and posted it on Twitter:

The University of Wisconsin issued a statement about the situation, per Alysha Tsuji of USA Today:

"

During the first half of this evening’s Wisconsin football game against Nebraska, UW officials were made aware that an individual in the seating bowl had donned a highly insensitive and offensive costume. UW Athletics’ guest services staff were dispatched to the individual’s seating area where they asked him to remove the offensive components of the costume. He complied.

UW Athletics’ policy regarding admission into the stadium with a costume stipulates that no one may be wearing a mask upon entering the facility. Once inside, it is permissible to wear a mask. The costume, while repugnant AND COUNTER TO THE VALUES OF THE UNIVERSITY AND ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, was an exercise of the individual’s right to free speech. The university also exercised its rights by asking the individual to remove the offensive parts of the costume.

UW-Madison is dedicated to promoting a campus environment where all people feel valued, safe and able to thrive. To that end, the university continues to encourage all of our community members to engage in discussion over vital issues in ways that promote greater understanding and respect for all persons.

"

The same fan who captured the above image tweeted a video of the costume-wearers after they appeared to be asked to leave their seats:

In response to Julie DiCaro of 670 The Score on Twitter, the University of Wisconsin Police Department said it doesn't condone the message the fans were trying to convey and guest services asked them to take off the noose. 

The person wearing the masks featuring Obama and Clinton was carrying a sign that Alex Kirshner of SB Nation noted read "What difference at this point does it make?"