After the former Yale University dishwasher, Corey Menafee, was charged for felony, dozens of activists rallied in front of the Superior Court building on Elm Street in support of Corey, on Tuesday morning, July 12.

On Tuesday, Corey Menafee appeared in court to face the lawsuit charged by the university, however, the 38-year-old employee did not enter a plea. Corey broke the stained-glass, in which, according to him, it depicted slaves. He told the New Haven Independent, "It's 2016, I shouldn't have to come to work and see things like that."

The former employee added that although he should have done it, he was tired of looking at "racist, very degrading" image, thus making his cool lose. Before the stained-glass panel was totally smashed, it depicted an image of slaves carrying bales of cotton.

Menafee told media that he used a broomstick to destroy the stained-glass as he lost his cool looking at the image. The Yale police quickly responded to the incident, and arrested the dishwasher.

As Menafee faced the judge, at least two local groups rallied in front of New Haven Superior Court, calling out authorities to drop charges against the 38-year-old ex-Yale employee. Patricia Kane, who was defending Menafee, has been contacted by local philanthropist and activist Wendy Hamilton.

Kane told a prosecutor, Judge Philip Scarpellino, that there was a private agreement with Yale not to prosecute, so the judge set another appearance date.

In the same day, the university released a statement that they would not press charges nor seek restitution for the damage to the small pane, the New Haven Register reported. The university also announced they cut ties with Menafee, and they said that the former employee apologized and resigned after the incident.

Julia Adams, head of the college, said Menafee worked on the dining hall staff at Calhoun College.

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Topics Yale University