A red swastika was found painted on the East Campus Bridge Wednesday around 4:30 p.m and was quickly painted over. The bridge, located near Smith Warehouse on Campus Drive, is the site of murals from Duke students and members of the Durham community. The swastika was found on the forehead of a design of a character from the Adult Swim television show “Rick and Morty.”
"The University unequivocally condemns this cowardly action," wrote Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, in an email to The Chronicle. "Scrawling a symbol of hate may have been an effort to intimidate the Duke community, but instead it will simply strengthen our resolve to denounce and combat anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its forms." He added that DUPD is handling the investigation.
"The incident is currently under investigation by Duke Police, which will review images from the security cameras that cover the bridge and surrounding public space," he wrote.
This type of vandalism occurred in Fall 2018, when a swastika was painted over a mural on the East Campus bridge memorializing the Pittsburgh shooting at a synagogue. The swastika defaced a painting of the gold Star of David, symbolizing hope for the Jewish community.
Two more anti-semitic incidents occurred on campus in Fall 2018. A swastika was found carvedinto a bathroom stall in the Languages building, which was later scratched out. A pumpkin with the symbol carved into it was also found on East Campus, along with sheets of paper strewn throughout campus that said, “It’s okay to be white.”
Joyce Gordon, director of Jewish Life at Duke, condemned the "disturbing increase in antisemitic acts on campuses around the country" in an email to The Chronicle.
"It's upsetting to see that Duke has been targeted in this way today," she wrote. "Jewish Life at Duke does not stand for this kind of brazen, bigoted, and backwards attack. The Jewish community at Duke is strong, and will continue to be so. I'm thankful for the swift and supportive response from the University, from DUPD and from our many campus partners."
After those incidents took place, President Vincent Price promised in a November 2018 message to the Duke community that the University would place security cameras at the East Campus Bridge. He also vowed to increase security at the Freeman Center for Jewish Life.
Antisemitic posters were also posted on the East Campus wall and Main Street sidewalk in Spring 2018. The posters depicted imagery of a gun pointed toward a stereotypical representation of a Jewish person.