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UT's anti-hate livestream of 'the Rock' now online

After people painted hate messages on the Rock several times, UT leaders promised a 24-hour livestream. It just went online.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Rock at the University of Tennessee is constantly changing -- and it went online on Wednesday.

The new livestream follows multiple instances of hate speech on campus -- including several incidents where people painted swastikas, slurs and other hate speech onto the Rock. You can watch the livestream here.

After an unidentified person painted anti-Semitic hate speech onto the Rock in September 2019, Chancellor Donde Plowman said the livestream would be "a symbol that our community is taking collective responsibility for the Rock." 

EARLIER: Knoxville Jewish Alliance condemns latest hate language found on UT's Rock, launches campaign

Plowman added that the livestream would grow the UT community's "collective accountability around communicating our values and replacing messages of hate with those of mattering and belonging."

On the Rock's first day of streaming, it showed a message from "Students for the Rock." according to UT's website, the group is made up of student volunteers "dedicated to using the Rock to promote mattering and belonging on Rocky Top."

The Rock also read "Vol means all." 

EARLIER: Hundreds sign open letter condemning hate speech on campus, call for stronger response

Credit: The University of Tennessee
Captured on UT's new livestream, a student walks past the Rock. The Rock reads "Students for the Rock" and "Vol means all."

The livestream shows both front and back views of the Rock.

On the livestream's web page, UT cautions students not to engage with anyone they see painting hate speech onto the Rock: "Please do not confront anyone at the Rock." 

EARLIER: Messages of life cover up swastikas painted on the Rock

Instead, the university said students should contact UTPD or use the LiveSafe app.

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