U of M College Republicans' 'Build The Wall' Painting Vandalized

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A panel with the pro-Donald Trump message "Build the Wall," painted by the University of Minnesota College Republicans, has been vandalized following widespread criticism.

Each year, the university hosts a "Paint the Bridge" event, which gives an opportunity for registered student groups and university departments to promote themselves by painting a panel on the Washington Avenue Bridge.

One panel reading, "Build The Wall," and another reading, "TRUMP PENCE 2016," were vandalized, painted over by the words "Stop White Supremacy."

"We find it highly disturbing that someone would vandalize a simple statement such as 'build the wall,'" the College Republicans wrote in a statement.

"We have received comments on the painting, falsely accusing us of being racist, xenophobic, and anti-immigrant."

University of Minnesota president Eric Kaler wrote that while the sign "is protected as free, political speech, we have heard from members of our community who find the phrase hurtful, offensive, anti-immigrant, and anti-Latinx."

"People in our community may disagree with the sentiment expressed. However, while the University values free speech, the subsequent vandalism of the panel is not the way to advance a conversation."

"The University of Minnesota supports a campus climate that welcomes all members of our community and our values of equity and diversity, but that also ensures the free flow of ideas, even those that are offensive to some. As students and our community participate in responses to this and future issues, I urge all of us to be respectful and thoughtful in our approach. We encourage all who find some protected speech distasteful or offensive to engage in more protected speech."

The sign has yet to be repainted.

Photo by Angie Drefcinski, used with permission