University of Memphis students and alumni were stunned when they saw colored yarn hanging from various campus tigers, causing some to speculate they were nooses.
Nooses became affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War and used for the lynchings of African Americans and white supporters of the Civil Rights Movement.
Despite the fact that the yarn seemingly resembled the rope, it has been confirmed that it possibly came from a campus tour. Some UofM students said they administered a mid-January tour, during which they hung directions and building names from the yarn.
“Most of those areas are generally used for student groups, and they use it for forms of marketing and promotion,” said Chuck Gallina, UofM’s media and public relations director said.
Campus officials and police services said they are still investigating but they think the yarn’s presence most likely came from a campus event.
