New York college campus sees hundreds of ‘wanted’ posters targeting Jewish workers

The University of Rochester said hundreds of “wanted” posters seeking Jewish faculty members were found posted on campus in recent days.

On Wednesday, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) said it believes all wanted posters, found on buildings in all classrooms, including classrooms, have been removed, but anyone who finds more should contact the department.

DPS Chief Quchee Collins said in a statement that the department has identified “a number of persons of interest,” including “current students, individuals whose enrollment is unclear, and other individuals,” as it continues to investigate the incident.

The posters reportedly list members of the Jewish faculty, including senior university leaders and members of the Board of Trustees, saying they are “wanted” for alleged “war crimes,” as the Israeli military continues its operation against Hamas terrorists in Gaza launched in response to the October 7, 2023 attack. Other posters accused those members of the Jewish community of “ethnic cleansing” and advocating the “expulsion of the Palestinian people,” or of promoting “apartheid” and “hate speech,” USA Today reported.

“I want to make it as clear as possible that the University of Rochester strongly condemns the recent display of ‘wanted’ posters directed at senior university leaders and members of our faculty, staff and Board of Trustees,” University President Sarah Mangelsdorf said in a statement. statement on Tuesday. “This action is disturbing, divisive, and intimidating and against our values ​​as a university.”

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“Furthermore, several of those shown appear to be targeted because they are members of our Jewish community. We consider this to be anti-Semitic, which will not be tolerated at our University,” he added. “This is not who we are. This is against everything we stand for and we have a responsibility to destroy it.”

DPS said it was first notified Sunday night that “hundreds” of posters depicting members of the university community as “wanted” had been posted on campus and “immediately began working to remove the posters and restore the spaces to their original condition.” The department said the removal process was “extremely difficult due to the strong adhesive attached to the posters, which caused damage to walls, floors, boards and so on.”

Collins said Wednesday DPS reached out to the people featured in the posters to provide “additional security support and resources.”

Among those listed on the placards is James Newell, who retired in August as the deputy director of security at this university, reports USA Today. Newell said he believed he was targeted in the December 2023 arrest of a University of Rochester student who allegedly assaulted a school official while trying to break up an unauthorized anti-Israel protest. However, Newell said, he was in the security office when the arrest was made.

The posters also feature Joy Getnick, a member of Hillel at the University of Rochester, who told WHEC-TV that such signs spread “harmful negative views about the Jewish people and Israel.”

Anti-Israel protesters occupy the Wilson Quadrangle at the University of Rochester on April 23, 2024. (Jeffrey Meehan/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK)

“They are perpetuating the spread of anti-Semitic hatred on our campus, in an effort to instill fear,” Getnick added.

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“We continue to follow all available leads, and we are working diligently to gather and analyze all relevant evidence to ensure a thorough investigation,” Collins said Wednesday. “It is the purpose of my office to identify and arrest those who our investigation determines to be involved in this incident and to ensure that these individuals are referred to the appropriate powers of the criminal division and/or the processes of running the University.”

“As President Mangelsdorf said, this behavior will not be tolerated and will not be tolerated at our University,” the king added. “The safety and well-being of our campus community remains our top priority.”

A frame is left on the grass in the Eastman quadrangle at the University of Rochester after campus security cleared a tent camp set up by anti-Israel protesters on May 14, 2024. (Justin Murphy/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK)

“Our department remains committed to ensuring that the facility is safe and inclusive for all,” said Collins. “We have no information that would suggest a risk to public safety as a result of this incident, but publishing the names and images of the individuals on each poster was an attempt to intimidate those individuals. Public Safety continues to monitor all areas of the University as we continue to launch this investigation, and we are available to provide immediate response to anyone concerned for their safety. ”

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Collins said DPS is working with state and local law enforcement partners, including the FBI, the New York State Police, the New York Attorney General’s office, the Rochester Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s office and the Monroe County District Attorney’s office, “who have provided resources and support.” .”