TN man arrested for showing up to Black Lives Matter protest in gorilla mask, passing out bananas

Soon-to-be former East Tennessee University student Tristan Rettke

East Tennessee University student Tristan Rettke was arrested after he showed up to a student organized Black Lives Matter protest on campus wearing a gorilla mask. He taunted the Black Lives Matters protesters, walking around with a burlap sack emblazoned with the Confederate flag and a marijuana leaf, offering protesters bananas from the sack.

Stunned protesters did not take the bait. One video was widely shared on Twitter. The student who took the video discussed how the racist display made him feel as he fought back the urge to strike the man. Watch:

BLM protesters harassed by a white guy in a gorrilla mask w/ bananas, rope, and a confederate flag bag. Y'all mad at dude taking a knee tho pic.twitter.com/Zy5NxpiXv7

— Julie (@home_skilletb) September 28, 2016

According to ​The Washington Post, Rettke is facing a civil rights intimidation charge:​

According to the police report, Rettke said the stunt was an attempt to provoke the protesters. Rettke did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.

In a video posted on social media, the protesters appear to be trying to ignore Rettke, although one protester says on the video that his hands are shaking with anger. 

There can be little doubt Tristan Rettke will soon be a former student at East Tennessee University.