2 UConn students arrested for racial slurs

Students demonstrated at the University of Connecticut after a racial incident roiled the campus.

And later Monday night (October 21), Police arrested two students and charged them with violating a state hate crimes statute for allegedly uttering racial slurs.

Authorities say Jarred Karal and Ryan Mucaj were captured on a video that has since gone viral shouting the n-word near university housing.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UCONN STUDENT MUIA MCCLAIN, SAYING:

"I’ve been called the n-word before, but, like, it hasn't really affected me. Because like, it's just the people passing by. But like, this is on campus. This is where I live."

The incident and the arrests have sparked a campus movement demanding racism and hatred be addressed.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UCONN STUDENT KIMBERLY DUHART, SAYING:

"The arrests will be pointless if they don’t make the change, institutionally."

The university's NAACP chapter wants the school to hire at least 10 black administrators, faculty, staff, or police officers, saying more diversity will lead to fewer racial incidents.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UCONN STUDENT KIMBERLY DUHART, SAYING:

"As a person of color, we know what we deal with. And so, if we can teach in the ways that will allow students to have a new perspective, then change can come about. You can’t teach something that you don’t know about."

Police say Karal and Mucaj were playing a game where they shouted vulgar words but switched to racial epithets.

They face a maximum sentence of 30 days in jail and fines of up to $50.

The university is examining whether the two violated the school's code of conduct, which could result in expulsion.