Screengrab via Youtube Student journalist Tim Tai clashes with Janna Basler, the director of Greek life and leadership on campus.
"Who wants to help me get this reporter out of here?" Melissa Click, the professor, asks on the video. "I need some muscle over here."
Those remarks went viral and drew fury from some, who noted that as a media professor, Click should understand that the First Amendment protects her right to protest as well as reporters' rights to film on public property.
She has since issued an apology and resigned from a courtesy appointment.
But among all of the angry voices calling for Click's head, one of the journalists who had his access restricted by protesters has called the anger misplaced.
Tim Tai, a student photographer who was on a freelance assignment for ESPN, took to Twitter to direct the conversation back to what he thinks should be the focus of discussions: racism at Mizzou.
Just want to reiterate that while I think we need to talk about the 1st Am issues from today, the larger story is not about that.
Have learned that some people in the video with me are getting death threats. That's unacceptable and sickening.
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015All right, so today has been nuts and I wanted to clear up a few things before I go to bed...
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015A lot of hardworking journalists were physically blocked from doing their jobs - I just happened to be on video. I didn't ask for notoriety.
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015I don't have any ill will toward the people in the video. I think they had good intentions though I'm not sure why it resorted to shoving.
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015My personal intention has never been to vilify the people in the video and I'm not sure why anyone thought it was OK to send them threats.
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015I'm a little perturbed at being part of the story, so maybe let's focus some more reporting on systemic racism in higher ed institutions.
- Tim Tai (@nonorganical) November 10, 2015