A series of white supremacist flyers and stickers were found on the Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan University campuses on Nov. 1, the Columbus Dispatch reports.
At Ohio State, an unspecified number of flyers stated, “It’s Okay to Be White,” which has “a long history with the white supremacist movement,” according to a Nov. 7 Anti-Defamation League (ADL) tweet. Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson told the Dispatch, “There is no place for hatred at Ohio State or anywhere. We categorically and emphatically reject racism and religious intolerance, and reaffirm our support for diversity, inclusion and respect.”
Flyers with the same phrase were also found on Western Connecticut State University’s campus on Oct. 31.
Also on Nov. 1, the Dispatch reports that 25 stickers advocating for people to join the organization Patriot Front were found at Ohio Wesleyan. Patriot Front is “a white supremacist group formed by disaffected members of another white supremacist group, Vanguard America” that believes that the only real Americans are whites, according to the ADL.
Ohio Wesleyan President Rock Jones said in an email to community members he was “deeply saddened and angry” about the Patriot Front stickers.
“The hate and prejudice expressed by such organizations are absolutely contrary to the values we hold at Ohio Wesleyan University,” Jones said, per the Dispatch. “And the promotion of those ideas on our campus is deeply upsetting — and threatening — to many of us.”
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, “Another incident of white supremacists targeting college campuses to recruit students. Glad some of these campuses are partnering with the FBI to investigate this extremist hate.”
Another incident of white supremacists targeting college campuses to recruit students. Glad some of these campuses are partnering with the FBI to investigate this extremist hate.https://t.co/hvyyuwuAvr
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) November 7, 2019
ADL Cleveland also weighed in.
“White supremacy and hate have no place on our college campuses,” they tweeted. “We are here to help campuses across our region and will continue to support students impacted by these hateful messages.”
White supremacy and hate have no place on our college campuses. We are here to help campuses across our region and will continue to support students impacted by these hateful messages. https://t.co/MK5gfliNTU
— ADL Cleveland (@ADL_Cleveland) November 7, 2019
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) similarly tweeted, “White supremacy and racism have no place in our society. I’m outraged that this happening on college campuses in our state. Ohio educational institutions should be beacons of hope, community, and inclusion for all.”
White supremacy and racism have no place in our society.
I'm outraged that this happening on college campuses in our state. Ohio educational institutions should be beacons of hope, community, and inclusion for all. https://t.co/lMEficLxsr
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) November 6, 2019
