GMU Students Furious Over Scalia Law School Opening, Plan Big Clarendon Protest Thursday

ARLINGTON, VA — George Mason University is hosting an opening ceremony for the newly renamed Antonin Scalia Law School this week, and many students and faculty are not happy.

GMU renamed its law school after the late Supreme Court Justice after receiving $30 million in gifts, $20 million from an anonymous donor who was a "personal friend" of Scalia and his family, as well as a $10 million grant from Republican megadonor Charles Koch, according to a GMU statement.

Scalia is a reviled figure on the left for his conservative stances on issues. When GMU hosts its opening ceremony for the law school on Thursday, Oct. 6 -- which five Supreme Court Justices will attend -- more than 40 students, faculty and community members will be nearby protesting the decision and the influence of private donors on the school, according to a statement from the group, which calls itself "UnKoch My Campus" -- in reference to the infamous Koch brothers.

"Speakers include members of GMU’s student body, faculty, and Virginia State Delegate Marcus Simon," the statement reads. "Speakers will discuss financial transparency, faculty governance, undue donor influence, and the politicalization of the university. Speakers will call on university decision makers to take action. We do not believe the administration has addressed student and faculty concerns raised about the university’s relationship with private donors."

The statement goes on to claim that the university is putting "donor interests before those of its students and faculty."

Students and faculty will wear red duct tape over their mouths to symbolize not having a voice.

The protest will take place at Oakland Park at 3705 Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon, a few blocks from the campus.

Image via U.S. Supreme Court