Pints for Patriots formed for UNC ‘rager’ for U.S. flag-protecting frats

Rodney Overton
·2 min read

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – When the U.S. flag was taken down during a UNC-Chapel Hill campus protest late last month, several students — including fraternity members — stepped in to “defend” Old Glory.

On April 30, protesters in the UNC quad took down the U.S. flag, replacing it with the Palestinian one. During the chaos, frat members held the U.S. flag off the ground.

Those behind a very successful fundraiser for the flag defenders said the frat members and students “protected Old Glory from the unwashed Marxist horde — laughing at their shrieks and wails and shielding the Stars & Stripes from Soviet missiles.”

The well-photographed event triggered a GoFundMe page to honor the flag defenders, and in about a day, it raised more than $515,000 to throw a “rager” of a party for the frat “Brohemians” who used “sheer force of patriotism” that day, according to John Noonan, one of those who created the fundraiser.

$500K+ raised for GoFundMe for UNC students who protected American flag during protests

The group, according to Noonan, also plans to contribute leftover funds to charities.

“These boys — no, men, of the UNC frats, gave the best to America and now they deserve the best,” Noonan said as the fundraiser ended, with Pi Kappa Phi specifically pointed out during the fundraising efforts.

Students protecting the American flag during protests (CBS 17)
Students protecting the U.S. flag during UNC-Chapel Hill protests (CBS 17)

The last update from the group was on May 2 — nearly three weeks ago.

Noonan told CBS 17 over the weekend that those who began the fundraiser have formed a non-profit called Pints for Patriots. The Pints for Patriots group has a board of directors, which is working without pay to help organize the “world-class party” and charity donations, he added.

Protesters take down U.S. flag on UNC campus quad, replace with Palestinian flag

Other work that has to be done is to set a specific date and location for the “killer” party, officials said.

Noonan said Pints for Patriots will be consulting with the UNC fraternal groups about details of the event and “sending funds to some great charities in their name.” Noonan said an estimate from UNC sources that at least eight fraternities of the “Broleteriat” were represented at the  “cultural moment” involving the flag.

Noonan has said the group has obtained a “world-class” professional planner with long experience managing complex events.

The planner, named Susan, has worked in the White House, Noonan said. Susan Ralston is listed as one of the GoFundMe organizers.

Now, weeks after the fundraiser ended, Noonan says Pints for Patriots will soon have an announcement with details, likely on the GoFundMe page. He said a “landing website” should go live with details in the “next few days.”

Some names tied to the event are country music artist John Rich, who told the media on May 2 that he had “reached out” and offered to play a free concert at the party.

Former UNC head basketball coach Matt Doherty, who now lives in Charlotte, said on Twitter during the fundraiser that he was “proud” of the students.

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