SAN MARCOS – Flyers promoting white supremacy were discovered in various buildings at Texas State University on Friday, prompting a response from the university's president.
"At Texas State, we celebrate our diversity and inclusion, and there is no place for hate at our university," president Denise Trauth said.
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The fliers reference a phrase coined by German Nazis, symbolic of anti-Semitism -- "blood and soil."
They're chanting "Blood and Soil" as they approach Lee Park in #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/2hPmJv9sq0
— Christopher Mathias (@letsgomathias) August 12, 2017
Trauth's full statement reads as follows:
Dear Texas State University community,
Late last night and early this morning, University Police discovered several flyers promoting white supremacy that had been placed on the exterior of some of our university buildings. The flyers were removed immediately, and police are investigating the incident.
Many of you know that this is not the first time an individual or individuals have placed flyers like these on our campus buildings. I have made it clear that these are despicable acts and that whoever is responsible for posting these flyers does not reflect the true spirit of Texas State. We are a diverse and inclusive university community and we reject those who seek to divide us and the messages that they promote.
These offensive acts, which routinely occur under cover of darkness, have been documented at roughly 150 university and college campuses in more than 30 states over the past year. In virtually each case, the acts are believed to have been carried out by individuals outside of those university communities.
At Texas State, we celebrate our diversity and inclusion, and there is no place for hate at our university.
Trauth said that universities across the nation have reported 150 similar incidents over the past year. Authorities are investigating the incident. It's unclear what consequences a student will face if found responsible for the act.
"In virtually each case, the acts are believed to have been carried out by individuals outside of those university communities," Trauth said.
The campus radio station, KTSW tweeted out photos of the flyers. A student reporter also discovered more of the flyers at another building on campus.
Why is this on #TXST campus? pic.twitter.com/09007DNc6k
— Camelia Juarez (@CameliaJuarez) October 20, 2017
Police are aware and taking down the signs. They will try to figure out who posted them in the meantime.No comment could be made on protocol https://t.co/nAzjIOrRje
— Camelia Juarez (@CameliaJuarez) October 20, 2017
Folder found full of these White supremacist group flyers by Retama Hall #TXST pic.twitter.com/OqSXRjluJi
— Camelia Juarez (@CameliaJuarez) October 20, 2017
These are in Evans Liberal Arts Building at #txst. "Blood and soil" is a common white nationalist phrase that originated in Nazi Germany pic.twitter.com/XqhS6mBP0f
— KTSW News (@KTSWNews) October 20, 2017
Students responded to the reports, seconding Trauth's statement that "there is no place for hate" at Texas State.
Bobcats: WHITE SUPREMACY DOES NOT BELONG ON OUR CAMPUS. #TXST
— TXST Leftist 🌎 (@LeftistBobcat) October 20, 2017
good morning to everyone except the people who put up the white supremacy posters #txst
— odalys (@0dylicious) October 20, 2017
It saddens me we have to reiterate this from time to time, but thankfully, people from the top to the bottom are united against it. #TXST https://t.co/Fzz59Soq2X
— Mr. Check (@checkj) October 20, 2017