The American University community woke up Thursday morning to spray graffiti on signs at the Glover Gate entrance on Massachusetts Avenue.

Both sides of the gate featured red spray paint graffiti transforming “The American University” into “The Genocide University.” An inverted red triangle was also sprayed on one side below the lettering. It is a symbol In pro-Palestinian movementsSymbol of Palestinian resistance. The symbol has been criticized for Similarities with a Nazi symbol to identify political prisoners.

To the right of one of the signs was “Divest now” spray-painted and in front of the far right sign “Free Palestine” was spray-painted on the ground.

The sign for Ward Circle was also spray-painted with “The Genocide University.”

In a statement to The Eagle, Matt Bennett, the university's vice president and chief communications officer, said an investigation is ongoing.

“We are investigating the graffiti at Glover Gate in Australia. Anyone found responsible for this crime will be held accountable. If you have any information regarding the graffiti, please contact AUPD at 202-885-2999,” Bennett said in a statement.

The graffiti will be removed from 9:09 a.m. A canvas now covers the words “Genocide” on both sides of Glover Gate and the words “Divest now.” The signage on the floor has been wiped down. At the time, several AU Police Department officers and a university officer were on scene.

At 11:46 a.m., university President Jonathan Alger released an emailed statement about the vandalism, condemning the graffiti and saying the university would “hold those responsible for this shameful act accountable.”

“If members of the AU community were involved in this crime, behavioral action will be taken and all applicable criminal charges will be considered,” Alger said in the statement.

AU Hillel published a opinion on Instagram and said they were “appalled by the anti-Israel graffiti that is clearly destroying the AU campus.”

“We urge university administration to adhere to and enforce campus policies to ensure that Jewish students and all students can feel safe and welcome on campus,” AU Hillel wrote in the statement.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 12 p.m. to include statements from Alger and AU Hillel.

This article was edited by Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing by Luna Jinks.

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