The University of Mississippi has opened a student conduct investigation after actions of “hostility and racist overtones” were portrayed during a demonstration on campus.

Rep. Mike Collins appeared to praise University of Mississippi students, including one who made monkey gestures, for abusing a Black student.

A counterdemonstration against a Gaza war protest at the University of Mississippi turned ugly when one counterprotester appeared to make monkey noises and gestures at a Black woman. A Republican congressman praised the hecklers.

Statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate,” said the University of Mississippi in a statement.

In the video, an unnamed white man in a light blue shirt is seen contorting his face to mimic that of a monkey while he motioned his arms back and forth—racist tropes historically used to dehumanize Black Americans in the south.