Western University. Photo by Victoria Sartor, BlackburnNews.com.Western University. Photo by Victoria Sartor, BlackburnNews.com.
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Western Investigating Racially Charged Facebook Page

Officials at Western University are investigating after a Facebook page promoting a pro-white union for Western students was brought to their attention.

The Facebook page titled "Western White Student Union" states the group is made up of "a collection of Western students who have come together to form our white student union."

The group goes on to say, "We are committed to providing a safe-space for white students at Western who wish to express positivity and pride in their heritage so that white students may feel secure and empowered in their identity as white persons here at Western."

The page has since raised concerns from the university, which posted a statement online on Sunday saying Western is investigating to determine what actions need to be taken.

"This social media page does not represent any group sanctioned by Western. Its members are not known to us," Western says in the statement. "Every member of the Western community has the right to study, work and conduct his or her activities in an environment free of harassment and discrimination."

The group has since altered the Facebook page, removing the university's logo and a picture of the campus, before posting the following:

"Western University has yet to contact the admins of this group directly, but it has been brought to our attention that they have publicly distanced themselves from the group! To make sure this page stays on the up-and-up, we will be changing our logo and name until such time that the WWSU can be named an official club at UWO!"

The group claims they were inspired by a "sister group" at the UCLA White Student Union, one of a number of pro-white student unions that have been been formed in Canada and the U.S.

As of Sunday evening, the page had over 80 "likes" but many Facebook users have voiced their disapproval of what one user called a "public front for the private preaching of hate, racism, and xenophobia."

The group says they have received a number of death threats since launching the Facebook page on Saturday.

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