Golda Meir Library at UMW vandalized, damaged

Building named for Israeli prime minister

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Police Department is investigating property damage and vandalism over the weekend at Golda Meir Library, named for an Israeli prime minister and that has been at the center of student protests.

In an email sent to the campus, the university said two individuals were involved in “throwing an object through a first-floor window and defacing the exterior of the building with graffiti” during the early morning hours Saturday.

On Sunday, the building’s exterior was seen marked with orange graffiti that said “Free Palestine.”

An object appeared to have been thrown through a window, which was covered with cardboard.

The library is located along Hartford Avenue, close to the student union. It is named for Golda Meir, who was the fourth Israeli prime minister from 1969 to 1974.

She grew up in Milwaukee and is one of UWM’s most notable alumna.

At a sit-in outside the chancellor’s office in February, students demanded the library be renamed and that the school end study abroad trips to Israel. Campus supporters of Palestinians don’t believe Meir deserves prominent recognition on campus.

“The library has been a focal point of protests, due to the current conflict in the Middle East and concerns by protesters over the library’s namesake. While UWM respects the right of free speech, this is neither speech nor peaceful protest, and UWM will not tolerate vandalism or other illegal acts,” the university email read.

College campuses have experienced increased tension since the Israel-Hamas war broke out last October. The email noted the conflict has “left many students and employees experiencing heightened concerns for their safety and well-being, particularly our Jewish, Muslim and Arab American community members.”

“To be very clear, neither antisemitism nor Islamophobia has any place on our campus or in our community,” the email said.

Several protests in support of Palestine have been held in Milwaukee. Last week, a crowd of about 125 people protested President Joe Biden’s visit to Milwaukee.

Mary Spicuzza of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.

MARY SPICUZZA Graffiti on the outside of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Golda Meir Library on March 17. Students have pushed for the building to be renamed.