On Nov. 22, the University sent school-wide email addressing campus vandalism and disruptions from Branville G. Bard, Jr., the vice president for public safety and chief of police; Rachelle Hernandez, the vice provost for student affairs; and Shanon Shumpert, the vice provost for institutional equity. Opening by underscoring a school-wide commitment to free expression, the email condemned recent disruptions on campus, including graffiti spray-painted on eight campus buildings, loud early-morning protests and messages to faculty that appeared to target their identity, as unaligned with this commitment.
“Acts of vandalism, intentionally damaging our campus, and hostility that targets a person’s identity or views not only harm the affected individual but impact other members of our community and unsettle our shared foundation,” the email wrote. “This is not free expression. Some of this amounts to criminal activity."
The email stated that it is unacceptable for individuals to be targeted, isolated or excluded based on religious, racial or ethnic association and linked to a University webpage providing information on free expression.
The email continued that an investigation into these protests is currently ongoing, and directed anyone who may need support following on-campus harassment to the Office of Institutional Equity, various well-being resources and the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program.
The graffiti was observed on Nov. 20 on various campus structures, such as the pillars on the Breezeway and outside Gilman Hall, and included the phrases: “Free Gaza!”, “Fuck JHPD” and “JHU is complicit.”
In an interview with The News-Letter, Ryan Lu, a sophomore majoring in computer science, expressed his concerns over the graffiti.
“I think the protesters should seek for more peaceful ways to protest, instead of vandalizing the campus infrastructures, because this is basically forcing the workers to clean up the mess for them,” he said.
In an email to The News-Letter, Hopkins Justice Collective (HJC), an advocacy organization that has been vocal in its support for Palestine and organized a protest early in the morning on Nov. 21 outside the house of President Ronald J. Daniels, responded to the University’s protest concerns.
“HJC was not involved in the graffiti on campus, but we understand that acts of protest are a direct response to the University’s role in perpetuating the genocide of Palestinians and its support for Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine,” they wrote.
HJC then contrasted the destruction in Gaza with protests on campus, arguing that the disruption by protest to campus or President Daniels are minor inconveniences when compared with the destruction in Palestine.
“While the administration continues to prioritize property over people, we remind them that the real disruption is not caused by those speaking out, but by their own actions,” they wrote. “The complicity of JHU in the ongoing genocide in Palestine — including through monetary support of violations of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions — should be the only disruption that matters.”
They concluded their email by stating that the University’s commitment to free expression is not consistent with its restricting the location, time and method of protest. By categorizing recent forms of protest as disruptive, they argued, the University is diminishing student voices.
“If they [protest] in a very forceful and destructive way, like vandalizing our campus infrastructures. I don't think the administrators will listen to their opinions, because they are basically promoting hateful behavior,” Ryan said.
Leo Qi contributed reporting to this article.
