University of Missouri president resigns amid race tensions

The president of the University of Missouri resigned Monday amid a spiralling controversy over his handling of racial tensions on campus that prompted dozens of black football players to threaten a strike.

Tim Wolfe stepped down as student protests mounted, saying it was important for students and faculty to "heal, not to hate," and to move forward.

"I'm resigning as president of the University of Missouri system," Wolfe said. "It's the right thing to do."

"I take full responsibility for this frustration and I take full responsibility for the inaction that has occurred," he said at a press conference.

At the weekend, dozens of black players on the university's high-profile football team said they would boycott team activities until Wolfe either stepped down or was removed.

"The athletes of color on the University of Missouri football team truly believe 'Injustice Anywhere is a threat to Justice Everywhere'," they said in a statement distributed on social media, quoting slain black civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

"We will no longer participate in any football related activities until President Tim Wolfe resigns or is removed due to his negligence toward marginalized students' experience. WE ARE UNITED!!!!!"

Caption: Tim Wolfe

Photo: VOA