PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are investigating a possible hate crime on Drexel University’s campus after a sign outside the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life was vandalized.
In a message to students and staff, President John Fry said several metal letters were removed from the brick marquee of the building by a group of masked individuals. The incident was captured on camera.
The vandalism happened at the end of the university’s spring break and was discovered on Sunday night. Students returned to campus on Monday.
“It bears repeating that vandalizing centers of Jewish life and learning … does not constitute any legitimate form of protest,” Fry said in a statement. “Such acts are antisemitic in their intent to disrupt Jewish life and intimidate our Jewish communities, and have no place at Drexel or in our democratic society. I want to reassure all Jewish members of our community of our unwavering commitment to everyone’s safety and security.”
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The Perelman Center for Jewish Life is a Hillel-affiliated Jewish student center on campus. Drexel police will maintain active patrols outside the building.
Fry said the university is “determined to catch the perpetrators,” and anyone with information should call the Drexel Public Safety tip line at 215-895-2222.