Yale: Incidents of racist, antisemitic graffiti investigated

“Haven, meaning a place of safety or refuge, isn’t just in our city’s name — it’s a central part of our city’s DNA.” Mayor Justin Elicker

NEW HAVEN — Unidentified individuals allegedly spray-painted racist and antisemitic graffiti at the Kline Biology Tower twice in recent weeks, prompting a police investigation, according to the Yale Police Department.

In a message to the university community,

Yale Police Chief Ronnell Higgins said the first incident at the building, which is under construction, occurred on Sept. 20, when workers “noticed that antisemitic and racist graffiti was spray-painted inside the building, and project materials belonging to one construction company employee had been vandalized.”

Police began investigating the following day, he said, and the university’s “facilities team in collaboration with the construction company increased security measures, installing additional security cameras, and fortifying the perimeter fencing and access gates to the construction site.”

Then, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, “several young adults” were captured on surveillance footage allegedly breaking into the site, Higgins said. The youths “vandalized indoor areas of the building and spraypainted antisemitic and racist language on interior surfaces,” he said in the message.

“Yale Police are actively investigating both incidents, which may be related. We ask for your help in identifying the people captured on the security cameras,” said Higgins.

The university has published photos from the surveillance footage in question on its website. Those with any information are asked to call the Yale police at 203-432-4400.

University President Peter Salovey issued a statement on the matter, saying he was “outraged by these despicable and cowardly acts of hate,” and “deeply saddened that the crew working on the site, members of our police department, and others within our community who have responded to these incidents had to see such vile messages.”

“The Yale Police Department is actively trying to identify and apprehend those responsible. I also have asked Yale Police and Yale Security to increase patrols on campus. I am grateful to Chief Higgins and our colleagues in public safety for responding to these incidents and for working around the clock to protect all those who work and live on our campus,” said Salovey, the statement. “Yale has stood and will continue to stand united against acts of hate.”

Racist and antisemitic graffiti was found inside a building on the Yale campus and police are investigating. The graffiti was found at Kline Biology Tower and is under investigation by Yale PD.

In response to this, Mayor Justin Elicker said, in a statement, “Antisemitism stands in sharp contrast with the values of our community.”

“Haven, meaning a place of safety or refuge, isn’t just in our city’s name – it’s a central part of our city’s DNA,” Elicker said. “We, as a community, will always welcome individuals of every race, religion, and creed – and reject threats aimed at our friends and neighbors.”

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said, also in a statement, that she is “heartbroken by the antisemitic, racist symbols found on the Yale University campus. We must condemn antisemitism and bigotry in all its forms and whenever it occurs. This act of hate has no place in New Haven, or in any of our communities, and will not be tolerated.”

Further DeLauro said, “Antisemitism in every form must be confronted, condemned, and combatted by public servants, community leaders, and people of good faith. Acts like this are carried out to instill fear and spread hatred. We all have a moral obligation to speak up and take action when acts like this occur in the community.”

Leaders with the Joseph R. Slifka Center for Jewish Life issued a statement condemning the graffiti Wednesday, according to the Yale Daily News, which first reported on the cases.

“In this moment of rising violence against Jews and other minorities in America, even symbolic incidents like this one take on larger and darker meanings, particularly for our community’s many Jews of Color, who are affected in multiple, intersecting ways,” students and officials said in the statement. “Our first instinct and most powerful response is to come together; there is no substitute for the warmth and strength of community during moments of fear like this one.”