Swastika Spray Painted On Richard Montgomery High School

ROCKVILLE, MD — A spray-painted swastika was found on the facade of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville last week. The incident comes less than a month after red plastic cups stuck in a chain link fence at the school spelled out a racial slur.

In a letter to parents Monday, Richard Montgomery High School Principal Intern Kiera Butler said a bright orange swastika was spray painted on the side of the building facing the stadium. She added that the graffiti went up between Friday night and Saturday morning.

"Upon learning of this most recent incident, I immediately contacted Rockville City Police. The security staff at Richard Montgomery High School, along with Rockville City Police, responded and surveyed the area. The swastika has been removed, and there is an ongoing investigation into the defacement of school property," Butler said.

It isn't the first time this type of incident happened at the high school. On Dec. 27, 2018, red plastic cups decorating a fence outside the stadium that read "seniors" were rearranged to spell out the n-word. In her letter, Butler called both incidents "demeaning," saying they do not represent the community.

"There is zero tolerance for bigotry in all forms. As of right now, we have no leads on two very serious incidents and I want to continue to encourage the community to notify police, security, or administration regarding any information you may have regarding these cases," Butler said.

"Whether perpetrated by a student in our building or a person in the community, we need to stand united to send the message that we are a school that embraces our diversity and will not allow the infiltration of hatred," Butler added.

On Tuesday, school officials are expected to address the student body about the swastika incident.

CORRECTION: The story's headline was originally "Swastika Spray Painted On Rockville High School." While the writer was referring to a Rockville high school (not the Rockville High School), the headline has been changed for clarity.

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