BOONE, N.C. — Anti-Semitic graffiti was found in the middle of Appalachian State University in the "free expression pedestrian tunnel" that runs under River Street.
Students said this wasn't an isolated incident at the university in Boone.
A swastika and words were spray-painted in the tunnel, which included the words “Heil Hitler” and the “Holocaust was a good thing.”
Annette Waters showed us where she and other students at Appalachian State University found the swastika and anti-Semitic language spray-painted on the tunnel's walls.
"Most of us were extremely emotional,” said Waters, a member of Hillel International, a Jewish campus organization. “I was torn for the rest of the week."
The university does not have surveillance cameras in the tunnel because it is considered a freedom of expression venue.
Two Jewish student groups at App State painted over the graffiti. Those students sometimes gather to worship at the Temple of the High Country, which upgraded its security this year with the rise of anti-Semitism nationwide.
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"I'll be frank,” said Chuck Liebeman, with the Temple of the High Country. “I'm going to get a concealed-carry (weapon permit), which I've resisted."
Students are organizing "Two Days Against Hate," with speakers coming to the campus next week. They're hoping more dialogue will help.
"Talk about the effects of not standing up and recognizing hate in your community, and the effect it has on your community," said Jake Poler, with Alpha Epsilon Pi.
"Our goal is to teach the community about the hate occurrence during the last five years and inform people on how to handle that properly,” Waters said.
After the graffiti was discovered, the chancellor sent out a campuswide email about the importance of inclusiveness.
Some of the students met with campus security Tuesday about security at the event.
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