A historically Jewish fraternity's house was the target of graffiti Sunday.
Officials at Emory University in Atlanta said Alpha Epsilon Pi was the target of “crude, offensive graffiti, including swastikas,” early Sunday morning, shortly after the end of the observance of Yom Kippur.
“I actually think it’s disgusting. I saw it this morning when I woke up,” student Madison Elias said. “It’s terrible to think that someone could hate somebody that much. I don't know if they realize how disrespectful it is."
The swastikas had been painted over by Sunday night.
Students who live at the sorority house next door said they are very upset.
“Being at a school that has such large Jewish population, it’s especially not okay,” Haley Schanback said.
In a statement, Emory University said, "Emory police officers are actively investigating the incident and have increased patrols to the area. Campus Life officials are meeting with student leaders to provide support and determine next steps for response."
Officers were patrolling in front of the fraternity house Sunday night.
Students said the hatred will not be tolerated.
“A lot of us are wearing ... their fraternity letters or Israel clothing to support the cause, to say whoever did this is not going to win this,” Schanback said.
Emory University President James Wagner sent a statement to the Emory community Sunday night. It reads, in part:
“On behalf of our community, I denounce this abhorrent act. It is an offense against a Jewish fraternity and the Jewish members of our community, and it is a repugnant, flagrant emblem of anti-Semitism. It is also an offense against the entire university. Among the many pernicious things the swastika symbolizes, in the last century it represented the most egregious and determined undermining of intellectual freedom and truth-seeking. In short, its appearance on our campus is an attack against everything for which Emory stands.
"Emory University will not tolerate such acts. Instead, we must together pledge Emory University’s continuing commitment to raise awareness and prevent all forms of violence and discrimination; to foster openness and diversity of thought, experience, spirituality and culture; and to seek positive transformation in our community and the world. We all have a responsibility to uphold the principles we hold dear as an academic community, and to create a community that is inclusive, open, respectful and welcoming to all.”
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