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Jenna Fischer Donates Speaking Fee From Indiana College Event To NAACP, Anti-Defamation League & The Trevor Project After Student Protest

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Student protesters at DePauw University interrupted a Q&A with actress Jenna Fischer held by campus leadership on Tuesday to condemn their handling of recent racist incidents, The Indianapolis Star reported. 

Though Fischer's presence — which intended to promote her new book, The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide— was not the issue, a student on Twitter said the event was used "as a way to speak to as many people as possible" about numerous racist messages that had recently been found on campus. According to The Indianapolis Star, these included a "racist threat" in a men's bathroom at DePauw Inn, a "racial slur spelled in rocks" at DePauw National Park, a female student allegedly wearing blackface, an "offensive sign" at a local bar, and a "homophobic and anti-Semitic" message in a campus bathroom. 

About 100 students showed up to Fischer's event to protest, with some yelling and others "expressing concern about safety and calling on university leaders to take action" regarding the incidents. 

The actress responded with a statement about the event on Wednesday. 

"The student protesters spoke about their experiences and about the hate they have been encountering," Fischer said in a statement on Twitter. "I could feel the pain, sadness and fear coming from these students. No student should feel at risk, or have to suffer the kinds of bigotry and hate these students have encountered."

She added that the students needed to be heard and "need change." 

"In light of last night’s events, using the full amount I was paid by the university, I will be making equal donations to the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League and the Trevor Project in the name of the students at DePauw University," Fischer said.

Some students that were at the event responded to Fischer, expressing their gratitude.

Regarding DePauw University's response to both the protests and the racist incidents, the college made an announcement on Twitter that there's an ongoing investigation, in addition to providing a location for students who need support or a safe space. 


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