Election day is fast approaching, and as per UNC Wilmington’s tradition, students are “chalking” their statements on the pavement all over campus.

Recently, however, English Professor Hannah Abrams was seen pouring water on pro-Donald Trump chalk on campus. Professor Abrams then posted on Facebook about her actions, proudly saying, “I have started erasing them.” 

An individual online asked where these chalkings were that she was erasing, to which Abrams replied, “Only around Morton [Hall]. But I’ll carry water bottles around with me to get rid of as many as possible.”

“I just erased the last of them (there were SO many) […] adorning the steps and sidewalks around Morton today are a number of chalked ‘Vote Trump’ and anti-Hilary messages. I feel despair, you guys,” she later posted.

Morton Hall, the building that houses the English and history departments, has since become the site of numerous pro-Trump chalkings. On Sept. 27, the chalkings filled the majority of the pavement surrounding Morton.

“As a point of clarification, I only erased chalkings with blatantly racist content—i.e. “Make America White Again”— as those appeared to constitute hate speech and were clearly in violation of the Seahawk Respect Compact,” said Abrams when The Seahawk asked for a comment on the matter. “As a consequence, I have been the target of harassing messages, some of which are racially motivated.” 

On her Facebook page, she posted a picture of a chalking covered in water that reads simply, “Vote Trump.” 

Some people supported Abrams actions on Facebook, commenting on her posts with messages such as, “You erased all the hateful chalk on campus?! I owe you a giant bear hug.”

However, not all were convinced that her actions were beneficial to the campus.

“I think she was in the wrong,” said UNCW senior Tara Fitzpatrick. “I believe in freedom of speech and expression. I think she has every right to do what she did, but as a professor she should think about her actions and how it can affect the UNCW community.”

Kyle Lewis, president of the College Republicans later commented in response to Abrams’ actions.

“The UNCW College Republicans condemns the actions of Ms. Abrams as not only unconscionable, but un-American,” he said. “Free speech is an essential and inalienable right of all people. Any attempt to silence those of different opinions is cowardly and immoral. We hope to see the University take action to prevent this type of misconduct from happening again.” 

On Sept. 22, the Office of University Relations sent out a campus-wide email on behalf of the chancellor supposedly to address the events that had unfolded during the week. The email served as the only statement provided by the school.

“We are an institution of learning and a marketplace of ideas, and a campus that doesn’t just permit but actively encourages our population to engage in dialogue about sensitive topics,” the statement read.