WASHINGTON -- Students staged a protest at Georgetown University Monday to call attention to a hate crime.

A group called GU Pride marched to the school president's office on campus in response to charges filed against Georgetown student Philip Cooney, 19, who is accused of an anti-gay attack.

Police said he was yelling homophobic slurs when he attacked another Georgetown student with closed fists.

GU Pride represents gay and transgender students. They said they're upset by the attack and the way the university handled it. They said the school did not notify the campus about the attack.

GU Pride said they are calling for more tolerance and understanding on campus.

As part of the protest the group hung a sign saying "Why can't you just be normal?" and then pelted it with various colored paintballs.

University officials said they take allegations of intolerance very seriously.