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Vandalism with Hateful Words and Symbols (February - April 2023)

Review Completed

What Happened

On February 28, 2023, a student found hateful language and symbols scratched into a metal panel on the wall in a men’s restroom in the History Corner of the Main Quad. Specifically, this vandalism was in the form of multiple Nazi swastikas, the n-word, and the letters “KKK”. 

On March 3, a Nazi swastika with “KKK” surrounding it was carved into the wall of a men’s handicapped restroom stall. The restroom was located on the first floor of Building 170. 

On April 11, a Nazi swastika was found carved into a metal panel of a men's restroom stall. The restroom is located in the History Corner of the Main Quad. This is the second time that a Nazi swastika was found in this exact location and the third act of vandalism targeting this community. 

On April 14, a Nazi swastika and the letters "KKK" were found carved into a metal panel of a men's restroom stall. The restroom is located in the History Corner of the Main Quad. This is the third time that Nazi swastika and the second time the letters "KKK" were found in this exact location.

Additionally, on April 14, a Nazi swastika was found carved in a men's restroom on the first floor of Lathrop Library. 

On April 17, a Nazi swastika was found carved into a metal panel of a men's restroom stall. The restroom is located in the History Corner of the Main Quad. This is the fourth time that a Nazi swastika was found in this exact location. 

On April 19, a Nazi swastika was found carved into a door of a restroom stall on the third floor of the History Corner. This is the seventh vandalization of space on campus with a Nazi swastika in the past couple of months. 

On April 26, a Nazi swastika was found carved into a metal panel of an elevator. The elevator is located in the Graduate School of Business (GSB).

All of these incidents are classified as a hate crime under CA Penal Code section 422.6(b). Vandalizing property particularly with words intended to threaten and intimidate individuals (specifically in this case Black and Jewish communities) is contrary to Stanford’s values. It is absolutely unacceptable in our community. 

What Is Being Done

Updated as of 5/1/23 at 8 a.m.

An eighth incident was added to this news story. A PIH report for the incident was received on 4/27.

Updated as of 4/20/23 at 9 a.m.

A seventh incident was added to this news story. A PIH report for the incident was received after hours on 4/19.

Updated as of 4/18/23 at 12:45 p.m.

The latest vandalized damage was painted over on Monday evening.

Updated as of 4/17/23 at 1 p.m.

A sixth incident was added to this new story. A PIH report for this incident was received this morning. 

Updated as of 4/17/23 at 8:30 a.m.

A fourth and fifth incident were added to this news story. A PIH for each incident were received in the evening on 4/14/23. The vandalized damage has been painted over. 

Updated as of 4/13/2023 at 11:00 a.m.

A third incident was added to this news story. A PIH for this incident was received on 4/11/23. The vandalized damage has been painted over. 

Updated as of 3/08/2023 at 9:00 a.m.

A PIH for the second incident was received on 3/03/23. 

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) also received a report and have classified it as a hate crime. 

The vandalized damage was reported to the building manager and has been painted over.

Because this conduct is deemed a hate crime, it is not considered protected speech and the person(s) who engaged in the conduct could be subject to legal or disciplinary action.

Sofa Sessions

Sofa Sessions is a monthly gathering for Black students to seek support regarding race based trauma, critical incidents on campus and/or nationwide, or are in need of connection in community. The next gathering will be on Monday, March 13, at 6 p.m. in EVGR-B Room 170 and dinner will be provided. Students can RSVP using this form. The sessions are sponsored and facilitated by the Black CAPS team.

Updated as 3/2/23 at 9:30 p.m.

Resources such as Hillel and ORSL (including Rabbi Kirschner and Rabbi Hahn Tapper) are always available to students. The community is welcome to come to Shabbat on 3/3 (with services at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.) in Koret Pavilion.

There will also be a community processing space to talk about antisemitism on Monday 3/6 from noon - 1 p.m. in the living room of Taube Hillel House.

Updated as of 3/2/23 at 12:30 p.m.

A PIH Report was submitted on 2/28/23. 

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) also received a report and have classified it as a hate crime. 

The vandalized damage was reported to the building manager and has been painted over.

Because this conduct is deemed a hate crime, it is not considered protected speech and the person(s) who engaged in the conduct could be subject to legal or disciplinary action. 

The Office for Religious and Spiritual Life (ORSL), Hillel and The Black Community Services Center (Black House) staff are aware of the incident and can serve as support systems for students. Black House staff can be reached at stanfordbcsc@stanford.edu, ORSL at stanfordorsl@stanford.edu, or Hillel at hillelatstanford@stanford.edu or visit the physical spaces. 

BCSC will be holding its regular Community Check-in with Black CAPS on March 16 from 6-7 p.m. in the BCSC Community Room. 

What to Do

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