Gary Birdsong - Students' Reactions

Students' Reactions

On March 8, 2007, Birdsong was removed from The Pit by Campus Police following an incident. According to reports, members of the UNC outdoor recreation program Carolina Adventures had reserved half of The Pit to promote their programs. Shortly after they set up their materials, Gary entered The Pit near their table and began to preach. They asked him to move away from their table, and Birdsong moved to the other side of The Pit. The representatives for Carolina Adventures did not feel this was sufficient and subsequently summoned UNC Police to remove Birdsong from the area. After refusing to move further away, he was removed to loud jeers directed at the police from the crowd that had gathered to watch him preach. A similar incident occurred in the 1980s resulting in his arrest.

Birdsong was issued a trespass warning that prohibited him from entering The Pit for two years. Following the incident he returned to preach, initially in front of Davis Library, about 100 feet from The Pit, and later about 200 feet away, in front of Wilson Library on Polk Place, which he referred to as "the Homo Zone." During this dislocation, he was sometimes referred to as the "adjacent to the Pit preacher". In March 2009, Gary's two year banishment from The Pit expired and he once again returned to preach in The Pit. Some students were glad to see him return to popular spot after his extended absence, but the overall reaction was mixed. Some disagree with his beliefs, but feel he has a right to be there. Others just find him entertaining.