Syracuse University's Department of Public Safety estimate they are investigating somewhere between eight and 10 cases related to the series of racial graffiti and hateful speech that have been reported at Syracuse University for over a week. Syracuse Police are criminally investigating two incidents-- one involving a White Supermacist Manifesto and a Swastika in the snow on Comstock Avenue.

Police Chief Kenton Buckner said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that the force has been coordinating with university officials, New York State Police and the FBI to look into these cases.

“We hear you. We certainly have empathy for you,” Buckner said to students. “You’ve went through a lot over the past what is now almost two week. No student should have to go through that. No citizen should have to go through that.”

SU has been rocked almost daily by new reports of racist graffiti, spoken racial slurs, swastikas drawn in snow, and other incidents.

The latest incident — reported to police late Monday night — came in the form of a document purported to be a white supremacist manifesto that was airdropped to individuals’ cell phones in Bird Library. There was also a message posted on Greekrank.com, a Greek Life forum.  Police confirmed Tuesday at first glance it appears to be a copy of the New Zealand shooter's manifesto, the gunman who opened fire in a mosque there earlier this year. It has since been deleted.

Despite the amount of incidents, authorities believe the only ones connected to each other were in the initial ones — racist graffiti found on the 4th and 6th floor of Day Hall.

Buckner said law enforcement involved have “two primary focuses — finding the author of the manifesto and no credible threats to the university.”

Buckner and representatives from the other law enforcement organizations addressed concerns from students about information being shared and the university’s response to the string of incidents.

“We want to protect the integrity of the investigations,” Buckner said. “We understand that students want to know what’s immediately happening, but we are sharing info as we get it.”

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh spoke on the incidents for the first time on Tuesday, saying hatred is not welcome in Syracuse.

"It’s critical that we work together to shout down racism and bigotry in any form it appears and continue to be a city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all,” said Walsh.

Right after the press conference, SU Chancellor Kent Syverud, who has been criticized by student protestors for his response, released summaries of the university’s response to each of the concerns stated by the student Barnes Center participators and by the International Students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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