On the main Northwestern University campus in Evanston, two students have been arrested for inflammatory graffiti that was spray-painted in Alice Millar Chapel, according to The Chicago Tribune.
The studentsAnthony Morales, 19, and Matthew Kafker, 18have been charged with institutional vandalism, hate crime to a place of worship and criminal damage to property. Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas, saying, "These allegations are disgusting to me," ordered both men held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Once inside the chapel, the pair allegedly spray-painted an expletive and a slur against African-Americans with a swastika on the chapel hallway. In a separate area, they reportedly spray-painted a derogatory word for homosexuals on a wall, along with lines spray-painted over photos of Muslim students. The young men also allegedly spray-painted penises in several places around the church, including a stairwell where they also painted the word "Trump."
Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro said, in a statement, "On behalf of the entire Northwestern community, I express our shock and dismay at the abhorrent act of vandalism committed last night in Alice Millar Chapel in which racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic and other offensive graffiti was spray-painted on walls, offices and even the organ.
"Northwestern is committed to creating a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all of our students, faculty and staff. This disgusting act of hatred violates the deepest values and core commitments of our University and is an affront to us all."
The Tribune article is at www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-50k-bails-for-northwestern-university-students-accused-of-chapel-vandalism-20160312-story.html . The university statement is at www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2016/03/statement-from-president-schapiro-regarding-graffiti-in-millar-chapel.html .