A national civil rights organization spoke out Wednesday against racist graffiti found at two Park City schools this month.
“School officials must be vigilant in protecting students from the rising bigotry we are witnessing nationwide that is targeting every minority community,” said Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
“Students must also be taught about the legacy of racism in our nation that continues to negatively impact their lives,” Hooper said.
The Park City School District Board of Education announced in a letter Tuesday that graffiti, including a swastika and racist words, had been found at two Park City schools over the past two weeks.
“Recent events at Park City High School and [Treasure Mountain Junior High] have reminded us that hate and bigotry still exist in all corners of our society,” the letter read.
“The use of hurtful language and symbols isn’t new in our community nor will it likely ever go away, and we must address and use each incident as a learning opportunity.”
According to a Tuesday article from the Park City-based media outlet TownLift, the graffiti included a swastika and the N-word on a desk in the classroom of a Jewish teacher.
Cornell William Brooks, president of the NAACP, tweeted Saturday in reaction to the graffiti. “None of us are truly safe until all of us are safe,” he said.
The Park City School District Board of Education said an investigation into the graffiti has been launched.