The fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill who defended the American flag during spring semester campus unrest are getting their party.
A GoFundMe page created by a third party raised more than $500,000 for the college men who prevented the American flag on Chapel Hill's quad from touching the ground when anti-Israel agitators tried to replace it with the Palestinian flag, promising a "rager." Country singer John Rich then offered to host a concert on Monday in their honor.
That concert turned into a large show featuring multiple artists and bands including Big & Rich, Aaron Lewis, John Ondrasik and Lee Greenwood. More than 2,000 invited Chapel Hill attendees are expected to show on Monday.
"I was so impressed that, first of all, someone had taught them . . . that you never let the American flag touch the ground, under any circumstances," Rich told Fox News Digital when asked about his impression of the photo in May. "Somebody raised these guys correctly. They understand what's going on."
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The flag incident happened in May, when anti-Israel agitators set up an encampment on the quad, successfully replacing Old Glory once before UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts responded with law enforcement officers to return the American flag to its place. When activists, some of whom were not affiliated with the nation's first public university, attempted to take it down a second time, a group of male students — including members of multiple fraternities — stepped in.
A student photographer captured the moment that went viral on social media and made national headlines as similar protests occurred on college campuses throughout the country.
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"Today was a sad yet empowering day at Chapel Hill," student Guillermo Estrada, class of 2027, said in a May 1 post on X. "When I walked to class, I saw the Palestinian flag raised on our quad flag pole, and was immediately upset at the act that these ‘protesters’ had made. I cannot say I am fully educated on the Israel/Palestine conflict but it upset me that my country's flag was disrespected in order to advocate for another."
Estrada added that Chancellor Roberts and officers who replaced the flag the first time "were met with profanity, middle fingers, thrown bottles, rocks, and water." Videos circulating on social media show a group of students singing the National Anthem and chanting, "USA!" as the American flag was returned to the pole.
"When the flag was raised once again, the Greek community began singing the National anthem. As the Chancellor left, the quad erupted into chaos as protesters began removing the flag once again, preparing to destroy it," Estrada continued. "My fraternity brother and others ran over to hold it up, in order for it not to touch the ground. People began throwing water bottles at us, rocks, sticks, calling us profane names. We stood for an hour defending the flag so many fight to protect."
Estrada went on to explain that he comes from an immigrant family and a "military community" where he "saw first hand the sacrifices they make."
"I will not stand for the disrespect these ‘protest[e]rs’ cause for the sake of another country," Estrada wrote. "My LDOC will be memorable in knowing that my fraternity brothers and others fought to keep the flag up. But it was also be memorable [sic] in knowing that so many yearn to disrespect it."
The fraternities included in the American flag moment included Pi Kappa Phi, AEPi, Delta Upsilon, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta, and Zeta Beta Tau, according to the GoFundMe.
"We told you our intent was to send any excess funds leftover from the party to worthy causes, entities that are consistent with the theme of the fundraiser. Charities proposed by the frats include: Back the Blue NC, Wounded Warrior Project, Children of Fallen Patriots, and Zeta Beta Tau Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism. Honoring donor intent continues to be Pints for Patriots' north star," a June update on the GoFundMe page reads. "We are excited for Labor Day. More updates and surprises to follow in the weeks to come!"
Back the Blue was invited to attend Flagstock on Monday and issued a statement saying part of the donated funds will go toward its mission to provide resource and assistance to law enforcement officers and the families of those who have died in the line of duty. When the Chapel Hill students stopped the flag from hitting the ground in May, four law enforcement officers had just died in the line of duty in Charlotte while serving a warrant earlier that week.
"We are deeply humbled and grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary of this event," said Lindsay LiCausi, Founder and CEO of Back The Blue NC, Inc. "The support from the community during such a pivotal time reinforces our commitment to honoring and assisting the brave men and women who protect and serve our nation."
The "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" singer in May commended the "bravery" of the students who held up the flag for going against the grain of the protesters and standing up for what they believe in.
"I think that when people, especially young people, have enough guts and determination to proclaim their love for the country and show their respect for the flag — when it's an inconvenient moment, when it's a tough moment to do it — they deserve to be recognized for that," Rich said. "And I'm hoping that when we recognize them in such a huge way, I hope it ignites that same passion all across the country."
Flagstock will be available to stream live online at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday.
