Walsh releases second statement condemning bias-related incident
Dan Lyon | Asst. Photo Editor
This is the second statement Walsh has made condemning the series of hate crimes and bias-related incidents that have occurred in the past few weeks.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh condemned the series of recent hate crimes and bias-related incidents that took place on or near Syracuse University campus.
The Syracuse Police Department is deploying additional resources to help with two investigations and to patrol the SU campus, Walsh said in a statement released on Tuesday evening.
In a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Syracuse Police Chief Kenton Buckner said SPD will be investigating a white supremacist manifesto that was shared with SU students and a swastika that was found in a snowbank across the street from The 505 on Walnut, a luxury apartment complex.
“Hatred is not welcome in Syracuse,” Walsh’s statement read.
Walsh is “pleased” that Chancellor Kent Syverud has responded to the list of demands by #NotAgainSU, a student movement that has been protesting the recent incidents by holding a sit-in at the Barnes Center at The Arch. He said Syverud and his team have been working “around the clock” on how to respond to the incidents.
New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he does not believe that Syverud has handled the recent incidents “in a way that instills confidence.”
Walsh also expressed his support for the Community Forum on Safety and Student Concerns that Syverud announced Tuesday.
Walsh released a statement Thursday condemning four incidents of racist or bias-related graffiti, calling them “vile and appalling.” Since then, there have been at least seven more hate crimes or bias-related incidents.
On Saturday, Walsh and other officials stopped by the Barnes Center to show support for the protesters and address their concerns. He encouraged protesters to make the administration an ally to accomplish their demands.
Walsh said his focus has been on SU students and what he and the city can do to ensure safety and “make sure all feel welcome.” Walsh is disgusted and angry by the recent incidents, he said in the statement.
“It’s critical that we work together to shout down racism and bigotry in any form it appears and continue to be a city that embraces diversity and creates opportunity for all,” Walsh said in the statement.
Published on November 19, 2019 at 11:03 pm
Contact Natalie: nrrubiol@syr.edu
