'U' Muslim Student Association Sign Vandalized
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A University of Minnesota student group's sign on the Washington Avenue Bridge was vandalized.
The U's Muslim Students Association's mural was painted over with the word "ISIS," the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said. The vandalism was discovered Thursday morning.
CAIR-MN called for the vandalism to be investigated as a hate crime.
"University administrators and state religious and political leaders must speak out fiercely against the rising anti-Muslim hate in our society that results in such disturbing incidents," said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein.
The vandalized mural was painted over Thursday afternoon, and a statement from the office of university president Eric Kaler was released just before 3 p.m.
"We condemn these incidents. They are abhorrent actions that will not be tolerated on our campus. The University of Minnesota must be a safe and welcoming campus for all students, including, of course, members of our Muslim community. Such hateful speech runs counter to the values of our institution, which must include a climate that encourages the thoughtful and respectful exchange of ideas. We can disagree on issues, but cannot accept targeted hate," Kaler said. "When our students are targeted and made to feel fearful, we as a community suffer. Repugnant actions like these must strengthen our resolve to ensure our campus is safe, welcoming, and respectful for all. We all must speak out against hate when we see it."
Student groups paint murals along the bridge every fall.
Earlier this year, the U of M College Republicans group painted a controversial Donald Trump mural, reading "Build The Wall." That sign was also vandalized with the words "Stop White Supremacy."
After that incident, U of M President Eric Kaler released a statement, saying in part:
"People in our community may disagree with the sentiment expressed. However, while the University values free speech, the subsequent vandalism of the panel is not the way to advance a conversation."
Guillermo Perez, a member of a Latino-based multicultural fraternity whose panel was next to the College Republicans', protested the panel, but did not support the vandalism.
"There's freedom of speech but then there's hate speech," Perez said. "It's one thing to be conservative and it's another thing to be saying these things that are clearly xenophobic and targeting specific groups of people."
