Graffiti On Burlington School May Not Have Been A Swastika

BURLINGTON, MA -- Police questioned the teen suspected of spray painting graffiti on the Pine Glen Elementary School and are now saying a symbol originally believed to be a swastika may have been the symbol of Pro Era, a hip hop musical collaborative. Police identified the boy, whose name was not released, through surveillance footage. He has previously shown appreciation for Pro Era on social media, police said.

The symbol was applied to a door on the school and a stop sign near school property around 9:50 pm Wednesday. Other graffiti was also found on school property. In a note to the school community last week, Burlington Superintendent Eric Conti said he worked with a local rabbi, and they had determined the symbol was an unfinished, crudely-drawn swastika.

"The clear message that I want to send to the Burlington Public School community is that any vandalism, especially vandalism that is anti-Semetic [sic] in nature, will not be tolerated," Conti said. "Burlington schools are places of respect and acceptance and we will respond every time."

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Photo of graffiti by Burlington Public Schools. Pro Era symbol by last.fm.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).