The American University community woke up Thursday morning to spray painted graffiti on signage at the Glover Gate entrance off of Massachusetts Avenue.
Both sides of the gate were graffitied with red spray paint lettering, which altered “The American University” to the “The Genocide University.” Below the lettering on one side, an upside-down red triangle was also spray-painted. It is a symbol in pro-Palestinan movements, symbolizing Palestinian resistance. The symbol has received criticism due to similarities with a Nazi symbol used to mark political prisoners.
To the right of one of the signs was a spray painted “Divest now” and “Free Palestine” was spray painted on the ground in front of the rightmost sign.
The sign facing Ward Circle was also spray painted, reading “The Genocide University.”
In a statement to The Eagle, University Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Matt Bennett said an investigation is ongoing.
“We are investigating the graffiti on AU’s Glover Gate. Anyone found responsible for this crime will be held accountable. If you have information about the graffiti, please contact AUPD at 202-885-2999,” Bennett said in a statement.
As of 9:09 a.m., the graffiti is in the process of being cleaned up. A canvas is now covering the ‘Genocide’ lettering on both sides of Glover Gate and the “Divest now.” Signage on the ground was being wiped off. A few AU Police Department officers and a University official were on the scene at this time.
As of 11:46 a.m., University President Jonathan Alger released a statement on the vandalism via email, condemning the graffiti and saying the University will “hold those responsible for this disgraceful act accountable.”
“If any members of the AU community were involved in this crime, conduct actions will be taken, and any applicable criminal charges will be considered,” Alger said in the statement.
AU Hillel released a statement on Instagram, saying it is “appalled by the anti-Israel graffiti prominently vandalizing AU’s campus.”
“We urge the university administration to uphold and enforce campus policies to ensure that Jewish students, and all students, can feel safe and welcome on campus,” AU Hillel wrote in the statement.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 12:00 p.m. to include statements from Alger and AU Hillel.
This article was edited by Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
