45°
Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport announced on Thursday that Charles Meyrick has been fired following the incident on November 2 at Manchester Community College. He had been put on leave by the school in November.
According to the school’s investigation report, during the meeting, Meyrick “became very irate with program presenters to the point where numerous community members felt uncomfortable with his remarks and conduct.”
During the exchange, Meyrick allegedly sat down and yelled “Sieg Heil” and raised his hand in a Nazi salute. Meyrick remained in that position for more than 10 minutes until one of the presenters thought his hand was up to ask a question, at which point Meyrick put it down.
“At the conclusion of the auditorium program, Mr. Meyrick proceeded to one of the breakout rooms,” the report stated. “He was confronted by Manchester Community College police, who were previously called to the auditorium based on reports of a disturbance, and asked Mr. Meyrick to leave the campus. Mr. Meyrick responded with, ‘What if I don’t?’ to which police informed him that he would be placed under arrest.”
The complete investigation report can be read here.
According to the report, “It is documented that many felt threatened by (Meyrick’s) actions. Some members of the audience re-positioned themselves to increase the chances of escaping to safety in the event Meyrick became violent.
“This is ameliorated by the fact that the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburg occurred only a few days prior. Therefore, when Meyrick raised his hand in a Nazi salute and shouted ‘Sieg Heil,’ the events at Tree of Life came rapidly into the minds of some members of the audience.
"One witness expressed the fear of violence as a ‘live concern.’ While Meyrick may not have intended that reaction, it is a reaction audience members had nonetheless.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
