NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — Police are investigating a suspected hate crime on a local college campus. This latest incident has students calling for change.
Racist and anti-Semitic graffiti was found scrawled inside a dormitory at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain.
This incident of hate has shaken the CCSU community to its core. Students said it paints their school in a bad light but doesn’t reflect the values of respect, diversity, and inclusion that the vast majority of students believe in.
“It was a little disappointing to see, to be honest,” said CCSU student Maxwell Ponte.
Fellow student Alexa Kimball added, “It’s just not something I would expect to be happening on this campus.”
The hateful graffiti was discovered and reported Monday. It was carved into the bathroom door inside the Seth North residence hall where Sean O’Reilly lives.
“They were drilling panels onto the wall of the bathroom stall. We heard it last night but we had no idea what was going on,” said O’Reilly.
The messages were promptly cleaned up, a criminal hate crime investigation was launched and a campus-wide letter was sent from President Zulma Torro.
“I am asking all of you to join me in supporting our friends and colleagues who are impacted by this crime and to speak out against hate and intolerance," the letter said.
“I mean it’s completely unacceptable. I don’t understand why there has to be so much hatred,” said Kimball.
And it’s not just CCSU.
There are reported incidents of hate cropping up at the University of Connecticut campus. The Anti-Defamation League of CT has recorded a 388% increase in hate incidents nationally, a 1,000% increase in social media hate, and a 295% increase in hate incidents in Connecticut.
“I feel like people are low-key numb to it now when they really shouldn’t be,” remarked CCSU student Allan Jeanne-Rose.
FOX61 asked students: what can their generation do to fight back?
“People are really isolated. They stay to their friend groups. They need to be able to expand out and take people for who they are,” said Ponte.
“I’m only one person. If I could fix it I would but it needs to be a whole bunch of us,” added CCSU student Uma Vaz. “More love. Not as much hate,” remarked Kimball.
On Wednesday, a peace march has been organized across campus. In addition to facing possible criminal charges, CCSU has made it clear that anyone found responsible will be disciplined under their code of conduct, which could lead to expulsion.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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