|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Police in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are investigating a “hate-motivated” vandalism incident that took place last week near the University of Michigan campus.
A sidewalk outside the Jewish Resource Center on Hill Street was defaced with homophobic graffiti on Hill Street on Tuesday. The same day, a racial slur and a threatening message were spray-painted on an apartment building on S. University Avenue.
Police have yet to determine if the same perpetrators were involved.
ATTEMPT TO ID
Surveillance video shows the vandalism in front of the Jewish Resource Center (1335 Hill) occurring at approximately 5:01pm on 8/22/23. The two suspects are seen walking with a group of people along Hill Street before the incident occurs. 1/ https://t.co/Gc7hRKOdgl pic.twitter.com/WfA1VIiw2f
— Ann Arbor Police (@A2Police) August 25, 2023
University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono stated, “We are aware of the homophobic graffiti that has been reported to Ann Arbor Police on the sidewalk in front of the Jewish Resource Center, an organization located near our campus that provides support to students seeking to stay involved or become involved in Judaism. The Jewish Resource Center is an important and valued part of our campus community.”
He noted, “This is the second act of vandalism at a Jewish-centered location in the past three months. We strongly denounce this act of vandalism and all antisemitic acts. These incidents are in direct conflict with the university’s deeply held values of respect and inclusion and have no place within our community.”
“We are proud of our thriving Jewish life in Ann Arbor and on our campus,” Ono concluded. “We offer our full support to any affected University of Michigan students through our Campus Climate Support program in the Dean of Students Office and the Spectrum Center.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) at 734-794-6920 or the AAPD tip line at 734-794-6939, or email tips@a2gov.org.
The Jewish Resource Center at the University of Michigan was vandalized this week, marking the second antisemitic incident at the school in just three months.
We hope the @UMich administration will take the needed measures to ensure student safety.https://t.co/zRMSMJzgnC
— Combat Antisemitism Movement (@CombatASemitism) August 28, 2023
Last month, two similar vandalism incidents — involving homophobic and antisemitic symbols — occurred at a pair of off-campus University of Michigan fraternities.
