Man who integrated Ole Miss troubled by protest

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (AP) — The man who integrated the University of Mississippi says he’s troubled and confused by the protest there against President Barack Obama’s re-election.

But James Meredith tells WLOX-TV students shouldn’t get sidetracked by what he calls nonsense and foolishness.

The protest late Tuesday grew into a crowd of about 400 people as rumors of a riot spread on social media. Some people shouted racial slurs. Others yelled the school cheer, “hotty toddy.”

Meredith’s admission sparked riots that had to be quelled by the military and police.

Meredith said Saturday that he was cursed every day he attended Ole Miss, but he paid it no attention.

He says that if he had a fight, it was with state leaders who created unjust policies.

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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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