By Justin Finch

NEWARK, Del. (CBS) - Police say what were at first believed to be three nooses were found hanging from a tree on the University of Delaware campus.

Campus authorities initially called it a " hate crime" and spent Wednesday morning looking for whoever hung them behind one of the campus buildings.

Based on an investigation, however, University of Delaware Police determined this was not a hate crime and the items were actually remnants of paper lanterns from a previous event.

The noose-like items were first seen by a student who then notified campus police. They were found on a tree near Mitchell Hall, where guns right advocate Katie Pavlich spoke earlier in the week at the invitation of a student group.

Her remarks have been critical by the Black Lives Matter movement. Students supporting the movement held a silent protest the same night she spoke, at the same spot where items were later found.

Students planned a gathering outside the building at the tree where the objects were found Wednesday afternoon to hold a protest. Even though this is has since been determined to not be a hate crime, the University continues to encourage everyone to attend.