Cornell students protest handling of alleged gang rape case

Cornell students gather a campus plaza to protest the university's response to allegations of sexual assault at the Chi Phi fraternity house, and the school's main administration building was splashed with graffiti and damaged overnight.

At a demonstration that overflowed the large space in front of the school's student center, students, faculty members and others wore purple ribbons and held signs with messages as "support survivors, expel rapists" and "Justice 4 every Jane Doe" - the name by which the woman who reported the assault is known in court papers.

Speakers faulted fraternities, the university trustees and Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff, saying he and his administration have prioritised protecting the university's reputation over students' safety.

Some students were heard asking for his resignation, among other slogans that were chanted.

Cornell spokesperson Kyle Kimball said in a statement that the university was investigating and that "damaging property is not the answer" to Cornellians' "frustration and strong emotions." Campus police referred questions to his office, which declined to provide more detail on the incident.