Civil Unrest Tabletop Exercise Mississippi State University Fall

Civil Unrest Tabletop Exercise Mississippi State University Fall Semester, 2017 Emergency Management

Attention • This tabletop discussion was developed for a student and staff audience. • An alternate version was developed for administrators and responders. Emergency Management

Objectives • Identify responses to civil unrest emergencies – – University Response & Operations Emergency Communications Concerns & Considerations Student Groups & Organizations • Address any concerns or questions that may currently exist or may arise during the exercise • Strengthen relationships with university departments Emergency Management

Scenario Setup This is a no-fault, low stress exercise Respond based on your current capability Allow for artificialities in the scenario Every situation is different Feel free to improvise (weather, public reaction, etc. ) Stay on topic, but nothing is off limits for later discussions • Images, including tweets, were generated for this discussion • • • Emergency Management

Scenario Setup • Please feel free to ask questions and provide input – even if it relates to a different area/department • Information shared will be used for training only • Every situation is different and may require a different response • We hope this scenario answers some questions, but also creates new ones Emergency Management

Situation Emergency Management

Event Scheduled • A university organization has requested to host a guest speaker on campus. The speaker was reviewed, and while controversial, didn’t cause too much concern. • The event was scheduled for 7 pm on Thursday, November 9, 2017. • Around 300 -400 people were expected to attend. The auditorium in OMAC has been reserved. Emergency Management

Then… • A week before the event, the guest speaker is interviewed on CNN and makes a highly insensitive statement. He follows up on Twitter with the same message. • Outrage builds as arguments on social media escalate. • The hosting student organization still wants to host the speaker, citing freedom of speech and concerns about a contract. • Another organization has opposed & plans a protest Emergency Management

Emergency Management

Questions Staff • At what point does the University Incident Management Team meet? • What are the priorities? • What can & should the university do at this point? • • Students What are your thoughts & concerns? How would students react? How can you address those concerns? How do you and your organization deal with social media? Emergency Management

Week of the event • Students are split over the guest speaker • A small group of non-students are marching across campus with signs and flags. They are wearing masks & trying to recruit supporters • The number of expected attendees increases – Those wishing to hear the speaker – Those protesting the speaker Emergency Management

Questions Staff • What control does the university have over speakers coming to campus? – Time – Place – Manner • • Students How can your organization prepare? How do you address the growing tension? What can the university do to assist you? How do you address outsiders who may support or oppose your organization? Emergency Management

Day before event • The number of non-students has increased to over 100. Some from local area, some from other states • Demonstrations are held in support of the speaker. No violence has occurred, but speech is inflammatory and at times hostile. • Members of your organization report being harassed & mocked as they make their way to & from class. • Several news agencies are conducting interviews Emergency Management

Questions • • Staff Event staffing Event location & perimeters Other resources Media • • • Students How have your concerns changed? How do you address the verbal attacks? How do you deal with questions from media? Social media? What training or meetings could help? Emergency Management

The Event • • Demonstrations continue on November 9 Venue is at capacity Two demonstration zones have been designated Demonstrators on both sides are upset and tensions are high Emergency Management

The Event • • Some fights break out Items are thrown into the crowds Some injuries are reported & some arrests are made Indoor crowd = 400. Outside crowd = >200 Emergency Management

Later that night • Speaker is continuously shouted down • Crowd arguments & shoving begin • Speaker concludes and is escorted to a waiting vehicle • Some vandalism is reported on the other side of campus • Outside crowd shrinks, but some agitators are still chanting Emergency Management

Questions Staff • How will the university follow up? • How could this affect future speakers & groups? • How could this impact events later in the week? Students • How can your organization address concerns of student members? Parents? • How would we move forward? • Questions for us? Emergency Management