Four students at the University of Rochester in upstate New York were arrested on felony charges after hundreds of posters were plastered across the campus targeting members of the university, including Jewish faculty. The incident, deemed antisemitic, was met with swift condemnation from the university's president, Sarah Mangelsdorf.
The students, Jefferson Turcios, Samantha Escobar, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jonathan Bermudez, were charged with felony criminal mischief and pleaded not guilty. A fifth suspect is still under investigation.
The posters, which criticized faculty members for their alleged response to the conflict in Gaza, were glued to chalkboards and whiteboards, causing damage that will require replacements and repairs.
While the incident was initially investigated as a possible hate crime, law enforcement authorities determined it did not meet the legal criteria. However, the status could change as legal proceedings continue.
University President Mangelsdorf strongly denounced the posters, calling them disturbing, divisive, and intimidating. The university's Hillel organization, representing Jewish students, expressed deep concern over the incident and emphasized the need for education about Jewish Peoplehood and antisemitism on campus.
This is not the first incident targeting the university's Jewish community, as previous instances of antisemitic language and symbols have been promptly addressed by the Department of Public Safety.
Students affected by the posters expressed a mix of fear and determination, with one student highlighting the importance of working towards understanding and peace in the aftermath of the incident.
The university's response to the antisemitic posters underscores its commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of its community.
