4 Upstate NY students charged over antisemitic ‘wanted’ posters on campus

Four college students in Upstate New York have been charged over antisemitic posters, officials announced Tuesday.
WROC reports four University of Rochester students have been charged with felony criminal mischief after allegedly putting up “wanted” posters targeting Jewish faculty members. The posters were discovered Sunday, Nov. 10, on the school’s River Campus.
A fifth suspect is still being investigated for their possible involvement, WHAM reports.
According to WROC, the four students were released on their recognizance Wednesday morning. Samantha Escobar, Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jefferson Turcios pleaded not guilty to felony criminal mischief.
The University of Rochester said the charges currently do not meet the threshold to be considered a hate crime, but noted the “posters identifying faculty, staff, and board members have instilled credible fear among those depicted, their families, and other members of our Jewish community.”
According to WROC, an investigation into vandalism at UR Medicine’s Brighton Health Center remains open. A sign was found “purposefully damaged,” but officials have not confirmed if it was connected to the antisemitic posters.
“The university is committed to properly addressing and reporting any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health of members of our university community, as well as coordinating the investigation of such crimes with local law enforcement agencies. While it’s sad when individuals engage in criminal conduct that is intimidating to others in classrooms and other facilities that they need to use while seeking an education or going to work, enforcement of the law is done for the protection of the community and in compliance with legal obligations of the institution,” said Quchee Collins, assistant vice president of U of R’s department of public safety, in a statement.
“As a community that leads with our values, we take responsibility and accountability seriously. In addition to the criminal justice process, the accused students will undergo the University’s conduct procedures,” added university president Sarah C. Mangelsdorf. “I am certain that as we move forward, we will all find ways to re-commit ourselves to demonstrating the values that make our University the true community that we aspire it to be.”
Multiple colleges across the U.S. have reported a rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia on campuses amid Israel’s war with Hamas that began last year. The House passed a bill in May to establish a broader definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to enforce anti-discrimination laws.