Leadership for the Campus Y at UNC issued a statement Tuesday following a vandalism and destruction to the building’s offices over the weekend.

The university shared a message with the campus community on Monday, saying a suspect entered its building on campus and left anti-Semitic vandalism during January 23 or 24. The incident was reported to UNC Police, who have identified a suspect and issued two warrants for the person’s arrest.

On the Campus Y Facebook page, the co-presidents described the scene they found once the vandalism was discovered.

“We as Co-Presidents found our office in shambles, with our pictures, letters, and posters torn under our feet,” the message reads. “The historical newspapers that once lined our walls were shredded, and the signs we once proudly held at HKonJ protests and We Believe Survivors rallies were stolen. Across the 2nd floor, Confederate flag imagery was scattered along tables and sofas. Amidst all of this chaos, we found a large shovel in our office and a nearby tombstone poster with the words, “Tar Heel Born, now Tar Heel Dead,” suggesting that this incident is not only a violation of our space, but also feels like a threat to our lives.”

The Facebook message says the co-presidents assume the attack was targeted. Drawers and cabinets within the offices were found empty and the message speculated what sensitive and personal information the suspect now has.

“The presence of swastikas and racial slurs on separate floors of the Y suggest that this was an attack motivated by white supremacy, anti-Semitism, racial hatred, and misogyny; however, we want to highlight that we do not know the individual’s affiliations or intentions,” reads the message.

In its message, Campus Y leadership asked that the suspect be apprehended and “safely receive the care they need by informed providers.”

“The violation of our space on Sunday night may be an act motivated by hatred, but additionally could be a reflection of a health and social infrastructure that fails to sufficiently support neurodivergent individuals. While acknowledging this, we do not want to mitigate the threat of white supremacy. We hope that this individual is apprehended for the safety of ourselves and our community; however, we truly hope they receive the proper support and rehabilitation necessary to re-engage with society in a healthy way.”

The vandalized part of the Y also includes The Meantime Cafe — which said in its own statement that it will be closed for the rest of the week out of concern for it’s customers and baristas.

In Monday’s message co-signed by UNC Provost Bob Blouin and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Amy Johnson, UNC condemned the actions of the suspect.

“Hateful vandalism is not acceptable anywhere on our campus,” it read, “but this breach of an established organization that promotes equality and justice is particularly egregious.”

The Campus Y is described as “the largest and most vibrant advocacy and public service student organization” at the university. The 32 student-led social justice committees operating at Campus Y “are dedicated to public health, human rights, youth development, environmental advocacy, education, poverty alleviation, and immigration policy.”

 

Photo via the Campus Y.


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