Citadel Suspends Cadets for Wearing KKK-like Costumes, Activists calling for the President to Resign

Activists in Charleston, South Carolina are now calling for the resignation of the Citadel president John Rosa after pictures of eight cadets, seven of whom were wearing pillowcases over their heads, showed up on social media.

The military school's spokeswoman, Kim Keeler, had announced that all eight cadets were suspended in relation to the images that evoked memories of the Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group. The school did not decide on whether or not the students will be allowed to return. For the time being, they can only come to campus to take their finals, CBS News reported.

Rosa had released this statement via the Citadel's Facebook page:

"A social media posting, which I find offensive and disturbing, was brought to my attention this morning. It shows an upper class cadet in front of seven cadets with pillowcases over their heads. In accordance with college policy, we immediately began suspension proceedings for those cadets known to be involved, and we are continuing to investigate this incident. Preliminary reports are cadets were singing Christmas carols as part of a 'Ghosts of Christmas Past' skit. These images are not consistent with our core values of honor, duty and respect.
We will provide more information upon completion of the investigation."

Shortly after the suspension was announced, James Johnson, the president of the National Action Network, said in his news conference that Rosa should also be held accountable.

There are roughly 2,300 students at the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, which is made up of five battalions.