Swastika graffiti defaces campus
November 10, 2016
UPDATE: Principal David Byrd acknowledged the incident in a school-wide email and phone call on Nov. 11. Administration began “active investigation into the incident” and notified law enforcement, according to Byrd. He said the vandalism was in the admin building and 100 wing, in addition to 900 east. He said the incident was “hateful, offensive and insensitive,” and staff cleaned or covered the symbols within a few hours.
Unknown vandals drew at least six swastikas on walls inside and outside the 900 west building. Yearbook teacher Dana Dooley notified administration during fourth period after seeing them outside her classroom.
Taped papers currently cover two of the symbols, while others remain visible.
“Not only were they there, but they were also pretty large, done in dark sharpie,” Dooley said. “It is in your face. Super obvious. And the fact that our students would choose to commit that crime and endorse that ideology is just unheard of and atrocious to me.”
One symbol vandalized the mural in the building. Fourth period art student Cameron Anderson painted over the swastika after Mural Club adviser Patricia Leong became aware of the incident.
“It’s disappointing, considering all the hard work Mural Club puts in,” Anderson said. “Especially considering the recent hate incidents on campus.”
Additional reporting by Nate Nguyen.
