Swastika Graffiti Defaces Oak Park-River Forest High School Lobby

OAK PARK, IL — Swastika graffiti was found drawn on the lobby of Oak Park-River Forest High School, according to a statement from superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams. "Hate has no place at Oak Park-River Forest High School," she added, stressing that the school's grounds staff "removed this deeply offensive symbol of hate and genocide as quickly as possible."

The swastika, which was drawn in marker on a windowsill, was first spotted by a parent, according to a post from community organizer and OPRF teacher Anthony Clark on Suburban Unity Alliance's Facebook page. In a photo, it appears the person attempted to draw one swastika and then crossed it out before drawing another. The discovery follows a string of recent nationwide hate crimes against people of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.

Oak Park-River Forest officials fear that the graffiti was drawn by someone who attends the school and are working to find the individual(s) who defaced the lobby. The school's statement said, "We, as a school community, stand for respect and inclusion. As described in Board Policy 7:20 Harassment of Students Prohibited, harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any kind for any reason will not be tolerated."

Oak Park is a sanctuary city known for its diverse community, but this is not the first instance of racist graffiti in the area. Swastikas were reportedly drawn at multiple spots in Dominican University in River Forest in 2016 and early 2017.

Oak Park Police Department officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday evening.

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