NEW ORLEANS, La. (WWL)  – A protest was underway Wednesday evening as a U.S. Senate debate on the campus of Dillard University was getting ready to begin.

The controversy behind the protest is former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke participating in the debate, being held at a Historically Black University.

Protesters held signs and chanted ‘Let us in’ as Duke entered the hall for the debate.

Neither students nor the media were allowed inside, as per rules set by debate sponsor Raycom Media.

At some point after the debate began, reports were made about protesters being maced or pepper sprayed.

“It’s a free country, everybody has a right to protest,” said Duke as he entered the hall.