Anti-Semitic graffiti depicting a swastika was found Friday in Marshall Square Mall, the Department of Public Safety reported Sunday. 

The graffiti was found in a men’s bathroom stall on the second floor of the mall, according to DPS bias incident report. Marshall Square Mall houses stores, restaurants and university classrooms. 

The incident is one of at least 22 racist, anti-Semitic and bias-related incidents to occur at or near SU since Nov. 7. Monday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

A swastika was found drawn in a snowbank near the 505 on Walnut, a luxury apartment complex on Nov. 14. Anti-Semitic graffiti depicting a swastika was found in Haven Hall two days later. 

Additional graffiti depicting a swastika was found in the lower level of Bird Library on Jan. 21. DPS has identified the individual responsible for the graffiti and referred the perpetrator to SU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, DPS said in a campus-wide email. 

DPS will not share the perpetrator’s identity to comply with federal privacy laws, the department said.

SU professor Genevieve García de Müeller received a hostile, anti-Semitic email that referenced the Holocaust Nov. 19. She reportedly received “another racist threatening email” Dec. 20. The Syracuse Police Department is investigating both incidents.

DPS introduced a Bias Incident Reports website in late November to consolidate public safety updates. DPS previously provided alerts via email, but was advised by law enforcement that the repeated distribution of email notifications is likely to motivate copycats, DPS Chief Bobby Maldonado said in a campus-wide email Nov. 30. 

Published on January 26, 2020 at 2:57 pm

Contact Michael: msessa@syr.edu | @MichaelSessa3