Archive: News

Up to 16 Nazi-themed posters were discovered on and around the Humanities building at SUNY Purchase last Sunday. University Police said the flyers were found in multiple locations around the campus. They featured pictures of Adolph Hitler and swastikas. The line "Don't be stupid, be a smarty/Come and join the Nazi Party" from Mel Brooks' satirical motion picture, 'The Producers', is printed on the posters.  Sunday was the last day of Hanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights that celebrates the the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC.

"I am disgusted by the discovery of neo-Nazi material at SUNY Purchase today," Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday. "In New York, we will not tolerate the toxic social dynamic that is spreading like a cancer across the country and fueling hateful material like the neo-Nazi fliers that were found on this campus. I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation into these fliers. Those behind this noxious act should know that these fliers, far from inciting fear, will only harden our resolve to combat hate in all its forms. We will not cower in the face of hate. While they spread fear, we will spread love."

In a statement Tuesday Chief of Police Dayton Tucker said a suspect had been arrested. 18 year old SUNY Purchase student Gunnar Hassard, of Oneonta, was charged with first-degree aggravated harassment, a felony. Hassard's attorney has stated the arrest raises questions about his client's first amendment rights, and some experts are saying that while the flyers are hateful, they did not break any laws. Hassard was released on $5,000 bail and was not permitted to return to campus.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Dennis Craig released a statement to the campus community Monday.

"I regret to inform the community that yesterday, Nazi-themed posters were found in various spots around campus. That this hateful act took place on the last night of Hanukkah when our Jewish community members were celebrating the survival of their religion, makes it even more reprehensible. Please know that these posters, and any message of anti-Semitism and intolerance, go against our core values of diversity, acceptance, and understanding. At Purchase, we are committed to ensuring that all members of the community are accepted and welcome, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, background, or identity," Craig wrote.

Hassard is due to appear in court January 8th.

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