Campus Bench Defaced with Swastika
A swastika was found carved into a campus bench on Sept. 8, inciting shock and outrage from members of the Marist community. The Office of Safety & Security currently has no suspects for the anti-Semitic vandalism.
The student body received an email from President Dennis J. Murray the morning of Sept. 10 informing the community of the incident. Murray denounced the symbol of hate: “It is difficult to fathom why anyone would choose to draw the symbol of the world’s most notorious genocide, but such a person is not welcome at Marist.”
Murray thanked the student who came forward to report the incident and urged others to do the same if they have any information.
“Let me clearly state that there is no place in our college community for anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia, or hatred of any kind. It runs contrary to our values, and it will not be tolerated,” Murray continued.
According to Director of Safety & Security John Blaisdell, the swastika was carved into a bench south of Fontaine Hall near a water fountain, but has since been removed. A student, whose identity has not been disclosed, saw the symbol and subsequently reported it to Security via their electronic mailbox.
Security is currently investigating the incident with local police but has no suspects. Blaisdell said they are unsure if the perpetrator is a Marist student or an off-campus individual. If found, Blaisdell said the offender will face consequences from the Office of Student Conduct and potentially even criminal charges.
“If you have any information regarding this, please contact me personally,” Blaisdell said, insisting Marist is taking this incident very seriously. If students have any information, they can submit it by email to safety@marist.edu or report anonymously online.
This is not the very anti-Semitic incident on campus –– in the fall of 2018, anti-Semitic flyers were distributed around campus that blamed Jews for sexual assault allegations made against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation process. Disturbing images of several individuals, including two Jewish U.S. senators, were depicted with the Star of David drawn on their foreheads.
The most recent incident reignited fear and disgust from Marist students, staff and faculty. “It’s disgusting,” said Annabelle Miller ‘22. “Whoever did this should never be allowed back on campus.”
Despite student concerns about campus safety, Blaisdell ensured “we welcome all students on this campus, regardless of race, gender and religious beliefs.”
If anyone has any knowledge related to this incident or other instances of anti-Semitism on campus, please contact Safety & Security at 845-471-1822 or safety@marist.edu.
A campus bench defaced with a swastika was found in this area around Fontaine. Source: Lauryn Starke