University police arrested two SUNY New Paltz alumni on Sunday for allegedly spray painting "FREE GAZA," "SUNY NEW PALTZ STILL FUNDS GENOCIDE" and other messages on campus stairs, sidewalks and walls.
"The two suspects matched the description of individuals who had been observed via CCTV camera near one site of vandalism, and they were in possession of spray paint and other graffiti-making tools at the time they were approached by UPD officers," University Police Chief Ryan Williams wrote in an email to the campus community.
The arrested individuals, both alumni of the New York school, were released on a promise to appear in court, according to The Oracle, the student-run newspaper. They were also issued "persona non grata" letters, meaning they would be arrested and charged with criminal trespassing if they returned to campus again.
Graffiti was found at nine different spots on campus, and pictures of the messages were circulated via social media shortly before noon on Oct. 7, the anniversary of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, the publication said.
"This damage to campus is disruptive and expensive to repair. As a public university, we welcome and respect the free expression of ideas, but we will not tolerate damage to state university property," Williams said. "These acts of vandalism will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law."
This is the second graffiti incident to happen on campus in under a month. University police received a report on Sept. 12 of "hateful and threatening" graffiti at College Terrace, according to an email sent from Williams that day.
