Noose Found At U.S. Naval Academy, Incident Under Investigation

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The United States Naval Academy is launching an investigation after a item believed to be a noose was discovered Aug. 28 in Rickover Hall. The Caucus of African American Leaders was contacted anonymously and provided with photos of a noose, WBFF reported. Aug. 28 marked the 56th anniversary of the March on Washington.

Naval Academy officials said there is a chance the object is part of a hoist system in the building, which is being renovated, they are investigating if it was a racially charged symbol, and why there was a delay in reporting it.

The Naval Academy released the following statement regarding the incident:

Leadership at the Naval Academy, specifically myself, the Chief of Staff, the Academic Dean, the Vice Academic Dean, the Director for the Division of Engineering and Weapons (where the majority of classes reside in Rickover Hall), the Deputy for Facilities and Construction, the Chief Diversity Officer, and Judge Advocate General, was not aware of a report by a Naval Academy employee of an alleged noose found in Rickover Hall. Immediately, upon learning this, a preliminary investigating officer (with the rank of Navy O-5) was assigned to look into the incident. With limited information, it has been determined the location of the reported noose (provided in a photo) was in an active construction zone of Rickover Hall (specifically, Rickover Rm 55) that is off-limits to faculty and staff. There is significant work being done in the ceiling of this space, to include new ductwork and piping, requiring hoists to be used. While there is a possibility for the alleged noose to have been part of a hoisting system to complete this ductwork, the Academy takes all allegations of race hate very seriously, and is working quickly and diligently to determine the facts surrounding the reported incident, specifically why the reported incident was not brought to light sooner.