US fraternity closes after students caught on camera chanting a racist song

A US college fraternity has been closed down after video footage emerged of a group of students chanting what appeared to be a racist song on a train.

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) national headquarters closed its Oklahoma University (OU) branch indefinitely after people were seen in the video chanting "there will never be a n----r at SAE".

According to CNN, all members of the OU branch have been suspended and SAE has threatened to remove those responsible from the fraternity for life.

Warning: Video contains offensive language

Clearly in that video, that is nothing new. That is nothing that just sparks up overnight. That is a chant that was well known, well versed, and seemed to be okay with everybody that was involved.

• Chelsea Davis, Unheard co-director

OU president David Boren was quick to condemn the actions of the students. In a post on Twitter he said:

Similarly, SAE - one of the "largest and best-known" fraternities in the US - was quick to act when the video first emerged, releasing a statement on its website:

We apologise for the unacceptable and racist behavior of the individuals in the video, and we are disgusted that any member would act in such a way.

Furthermore, we are embarrassed by this video and offer our empathy not only to anyone outside the organization who is offended but also to our brothers who come from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.

• SAE statement

The group added that it hopes to "re-establish the Oklahoma Kappa chapter at some point in the future with a group of men who exemplify our beliefs and who serve as leaders on campus and in the community".

SAE has previously been described as 'America's deadliest fraternity'. In a 2013 Bloomberg report, one former member likened the initiation ceremonies at the Salisbury University branch to interrogation techniques used at Guantanomo Bay.

Meanwhile, it was also estimated that at least 15 SAE branches had been closed in the three years to 2013 and that nine deaths related to drinking, drugs and initiations occurred between 2006 and 2013. A record the fraternity says it has worked hard to correct.

OU students say they will hold a peaceful demonstration against racism on campus on Monday morning.

More: 19 signs racism is alive and well in the US of A