Authorities at Drexel University are probing an act of vandalism at the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life as a possible hate crime, university officials have confirmed. According to a statement obtained by The Philadelphia Inquirer, several metal letters were forcibly removed from the building's brick marquee by a group of masked individuals. The incident, reported to have occurred as the spring break concluded and before students flocked back to campus this Monday, was caught on video surveillance.
Drexel president John Fry addressed the community, stating, "As I write, Drexel Public Safety and Philadelphia police are jointly investigating this incident, which was captured on video, as a hate crime." The university has been quick to openly condemn the act. In a release cited by FOX 29, officials declared, "It bears repeating that vandalizing centers of Jewish life and learning, defacing property with antisemitic graffiti, or ripping mezuzot off doorposts in residence halls does not constitute any legitimate form of protest. 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."
This latest hate crime investigation follows close on the heels of another incident in Montgomery County, where a synagogue sign was defaced with a swastika not merely once, but twice. Drexel University is ramping up its vigilance in response, urging the community to be proactive and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The school is also putting the potential suspects "on notice" as the investigation continues.
In their commitment to campus safety, Drexel University reinforced its dedication to the Jewish members of its community. "I want to reassure all Jewish members of our community of our unwavering commitment to everyone's safety and security," a university statement quoted by 6ABC expressed. "The Perelman Center remains swipe-access only, and Drexel Public Safety will maintain active police and security patrols." Members of the community with information related to the vandalism are encouraged to reach out just as soon to either the Drexel Public Safety tip line or the Philadelphia police.
