Vandals deface Thompson Hall with 'UNH funds genocide' graffiti
May 14—Authorities are looking for the people who spray-painted the phrase "UNH funds genocide" on the University of New Hampshire's landmark Thompson Hall.
"This is a sad day for UNH," President James W. Dean Jr. said in a statement Tuesday.
UNH police are investigating the graffiti and vandalism discovered about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday on Thompson Hall and the granite wall in front of the flagpole on the campus lawn, according to Dean.
"It is incredibly unfortunate that some feel they should damage our beautiful, historic campus to make their point," he said. "This action does nothing to make people more sympathetic to a cause. Instead, it unnecessarily prevents many members of our community from being able to enjoy and access a very special space at what should be a joyful time in the academic year."
The vandalism comes days before this weekend's commencement activities.
Dean said "the clean-up process to restore the iconic space" has begun.
May Day rally
Earlier this month, a dozen protesters were arrested — 10 students along with two people not affiliated with the university, school officials said — after confrontations with police during a "May Day Rally for Palestine" on campus.
"It is also worth pointing out that vandalism does not help the suffering people in the region in the slightest," Dean said. "Instead of defacing our university, I suggest that people interested in making a positive impact make a contribution to one of the many charities providing humanitarian aid where it is needed."
A report released last month by the Anti-Defamation League New England said 35 antisemitic incidents were recorded in New Hampshire last year after 14 incidents the previous year. The Jewish advocacy group documented antisemitic incidents in 15 New Hampshire communities, including four incidents in Durham.
Tensions increased after last October's cross-border attack by Hamas into Israel that ended with 1,200 killed and 250 others taken hostage. Israel responded by trying to root out Hamas fighters in Gaza, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths.
That has ramped up the number of protests and antisemitic incidents across the United States.
After arrests at UNH and at Dartmouth College in recent weeks, ACLU of New Hampshire said it was "highly concerned" that police "appear to have moved quickly and forcefully" into protests at both campuses.
"While the ACLU of New Hampshire does not take a position on the conflict in Israel and Palestine, we are committed to ensuring freedom of expression and association, including on college and university campuses in New Hampshire," the ACLU said on May 1.
