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Western New England University 'Addressing' Those Involved In Cinco De Mayo Posts

Western New England University in Springfield awarded 581 bachelor degrees during its commencement ceremony in 2015.
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MassLive
Western New England University in Springfield awarded 581 bachelor degrees during its commencement ceremony in 2015.

Western New England University is looking into statements allegedly posted by a member of the women's lacrosse team calling on President Trump to "build that wall."

Friday was Cinco de Mayo, May 5th, a Mexican holiday celebrating the country's victory in a battle against the French in 1862. In the U.S., it's become a celebration of Mexican American culture.

A member of the Western New England women's lacrosse team marked the holiday with two Instagram posts, showing young women gathered near a beer keg and the words "Dear Mr Trump Glad you didn't build the wall JUST YET. Happy mexican St paddy's day..."

A second post read "build that wall."

Another student, Jordon Mieko, reposted the messages with the note "Problematic racist yt ppl @ my school."

In a statement, Western New England said the university "cherishes its diversity," is reviewing the posts and "addressing the matter with those involved."

Copyright 2017 New England Public Media

Nancy Eve Cohen is a senior reporter focusing on Berkshire County. Previously she served as the editor of the Northeast Environmental Hub, a collaborative of public radio stations. Earlier in her career she was the Midwest editor for NPR in Washington, D.C. Before working in radio, she recorded sound as part of a camera crew for network television news, with assignments in Russia, Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba and in Sarajevo during the war in 1992.

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