Students at the University of Alabama marched and protested at the school this week to express their outrage over a racial slur-filled video filmed by a now-former student from New Jersey.
Former student Harley Barber came under fire this week after two videos surfaced on Instagram. In the first video, Barber uses a racial slur for African-Americans. In a second video responding to criticism, she says she'll use the word "as much as I want," and then says it repeatedly.
Some of the protesters at the university say that incidents like this happen far too often.
“To be honest, this is not the first time this has happened,” says university graduate Joseph Hale. “Something like this dramatically happens every year."
The protesters marched to the administration building on campus to let the school’s president and other administrators know that what was said in the video was unacceptable behavior. They say that they are standing up for what’s right by marching against such acts.
"The fact that she had friends…encouraging this [behavior]. It really just shocked me that nobody was in the back saying ‘Hey, that's not right,’’ says student Kourtney King.
University President Stuart R. Bell issued a statement Wednesday that called the videos "highly offensive and deeply hurtful."
The university would not confirm if Barber has been expelled, but says that she is no longer enrolled at the University of Alabama.
Barber has apologized for the videos. She told the New York Post, "I don't know what to do and I feel horrible. I'm wrong and there's just no excuse for what I did."
Barber told the newspaper she is returning home to New Jersey.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.