This is a developing story, Mustang News will update as more information becomes available.
Spray-painted messages related to the Israel-Hamas conflict were reported at the Cal Poly Mustang Shop, the Bonderson Engineering Project Center (BLDG. 197), Engineering IV (BLDG. 192) and the Cal Poly sign by Grand Avenue on Halloween night. Those responsible for the incident have not yet been identified, according to Cal Poly Police Department (CPPD) officials.
Various phrases in red and black paint were left on buildings, including “Divest from Genocide,” “From Palestine to Tihini, Free the Land, end the U.S. Empire” and “From Gaza to Cal Poly, let the Intifada spread.”
Avi Shapiro, a materials engineering senior, heard about the spray paint at the Mustang Shop and reported it around 6:52 p.m. to CPPD. Shapiro said the phone lines were busy because of Halloween.
CPPD arrived on the scene and patrolled the area for any ongoing activity. The Cal Poly Paint Shop arrived shortly after to remove paint from the buildings.
Students walking around the University Union and near Grand Avenue stopped to photograph the spray-painted messages.
“When I saw this, I was sad and frustrated that it happened, but it wasn’t out of the blue; it’s been happening on college campuses everywhere,” Shapiro said. “I care about this campus and this university, and stuff like this diminishes from the entire campus.”
The crime log will be updated tomorrow morning by CPPD, and the university has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
9:27 a.m., Nov. 1: Cal Poly issued a statement about the spray-painted messages, citing it as vandalism under California Penal Code 594:
Cal Poly believes in and fully supports lawful protests, demonstrations and other free speech activities,” the statement said. “However, the university will fully enforce the laws and rules governing our campus to protect our community, and anyone who partakes in unlawful activity or violations of university policy is subject to the consequences of their actions. These are not the university’s rules but the basic rules of society by which we all live.“
The university said they cannot provide additional details at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Cal Poly Police at 805-756-2281. Anonymous tips can be made to San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers at 805-549-7867 or visit www.slotips.org. Community members may be eligible for a cash reward if the information they provide leads to an arrest and conviction.
