Augsburg Community Comes Together After Luther Hall Vandalism
Jessica Tezoquipa, contributor
Two timely warnings were issued on Sept. 25 and 27 about hateful graffiti on campus aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community and Somali community. While it has not been confirmed, the style of graffiti in both instances matches, and they are suspected to be connected.
On Sept. 24, Luther Hall’s garage door had been graffitied with language containing “threatening and pejorative,” or negative, language towards the LGBT community sometime between 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Then, on Sept. 27, Luther Hall’s garage door graffiti contained matching language towards the LGBTQIA+ and Somali communities. The graffiti was likely painted sometime between midnight and 1:40 a.m.
Augsburg University offered space Monday, Sept. 29, for students and the community to convene. “There is a lot of power and meaning in publicly gathering and publicly gathering in a way that we feel supported and loved and safe.,” shared Multicultural Life Student Specialist Tristan Crowell when interviewed. Capri Suns, snacks, drawing, people coming together in support, connecting and being a good force in your community are great ways to deal with something so bad so close to home. “It allows us to care for each other but also inspire each other to action if that is what we feel called to.”
The Augsburg Day Student Government released a statement about the hate speech on campus via their Instagram Page. “Hate spreads when we choose to ignore it. That’s why we must continue speaking out and denouncing any form of hateful speech. Don’t let this moment silence you: instead, use this moment to advocate for change, because hate has no place here.”
“Hate spreads when we choose to ignore it. That’s why we must continue speaking out and denouncing any form of hateful speech. Don’t let this moment silence you: instead, use this moment to advocate for change, because hate has no place here.”
Augsburg Day Student Government
The school also responded by opening up special walk-in hours with the CWC on Sept. 26th from 9am to 4pm. These were in addition to the consistent CWC walk-in hours of 1 to 3pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Campus Ministry held space for the community during their Monday chapel time on Sept. 29. Campus Ministry also encourages anyone to stop by their office or schedule a meeting with them for confidential spiritual counseling and support.
No suspects have been found for these instances, but DPS and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) are still investigating. They urge anyone with information to contact DPS at 612-330-1717 or MPD. You can also contact DPS via email, Campus Shield, or the DPS website.
You must be logged in to post a comment.