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Recent rise in hate speech across Connecticut universities has state officials taking action

The meeting comes at a time when both Jewish and Muslim student organizations at various campuses across the state have been receiving hateful messages.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Leaders from several colleges and universities met with state leaders and representatives from the FBI, Connecticut State Police, The. U.S. Attorney’s Office and others Thursday to discuss how to prevent hate incidents on campus. 

Gov. Ned Lamont directed the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to look into ways to make college campuses across Connecticut safer by sharing intelligence resources and methods of prevention. 

“For two hours straight members were engaged, they asked questions, we shared resources, and frankly, folks they felt supported,” said Ronnell Higgins, Interim commissioner of DESPP. 

The meeting comes at a time when both Jewish and Muslim student organizations at various campuses across the state have been receiving hateful messages online and over the phone.  

Last week the UConn Muslim Student Association said they received threatening messages over the phone and through email. 

Earlier this week a racial slur and swastika was found written in a bathroom on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. 

Representatives from both UConn’s Muslim and Jewish student groups are glad state leaders are trying to address hate on campus but say action is needed. 

“We would like to see the university, the state and other public safety resources give Muslim students and Palestinian allies the same treatment they would give other student groups,” said Muhammad Elsabbal, with the UConn Muslim Student Association. 

“Here on campus there has been a massive influx of bias reports of different things happening around campus and I think it’s not just here, but it’s everywhere. They’ve talked about doing things about it and I’m glad they are doing things about it. So, I hope it turns into actions and not just promises of trying to help out,” said Ari Gerard, a UConn Student who is involved with several Jewish student groups on campus. 

At Thursday’s press conference following the meeting, Lamont emphasized how free speech can easily lead to hate speech. 

“You have the right to disagree on the issues, you have the right to disagree on policies. That's not hate speech, but hate speech is where you vilify people for who they are, and their background, and their religious background, their identity and that's unacceptable,” said Lamont. 

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Just days into taking the help at DESPP Interim Commissioner Higgins said this is an opportunity to come together and address incidents before they turn violent.  

“We should be the ones bringing people together so that we're all on the same sheet of music. We're stronger together. There is no one particular campus that is a hotspot. There's no one bright flashing light on one particular campus, but you never know,” said Higgins. 

State leaders are planning additional meetings to offer similar resources in the form of workshops for smaller community colleges in January though exact dates have not yet been announced.

Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on FacebookX, and Instagram.

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