OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) – A pro-Palestine protest at the University of Mississippi in Oxford turned into a shouting match between the protesters and counter-protesters.

The Clarion Ledger reported the protesters were evacuated off of the university’s campus after the incident.

The protest happened on the Quad of the campus on Thursday, May 2. According to the report, 50-60 protesters gathered to protest the Israeli military response in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel.

More than 200 counter-protesters were also on the Quad. Video showed the counter-protesters throwing objects, shouting at the protesters, and singing The Star-Spangled Banner.

According to the report, the group that organized the pro-Palestine protest is unknown.

On Thursday, Governor Tate Reeves (R-Miss.) said he was aware of the protest taking place on campus.

“Mississippi law enforcement is also aware. And they are prepared. Campus police, City, County, and State assets are being deployed and coordinated. We will offer a unified response with one mission: Peaceful protests are allowed and protected – no matter how outrageous those protesters views may seem to some of us. But unlawful behavior will not be tolerated. It will be dealt with accordingly,” said Reeves.