The Observer, October 5, 2007
Volume XL, Issue 6
Students promote peace, tolerance on campus
On Wednesday afternoon, handprints and the word "peace" in multiple languages covered half of the Thwing Spirit Wall, a concerted response to an anti-Semitic message previously painted there.
The offensive drawing, including a Star of David and depictions of male genitalia, was apparently painted sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Plant Facilities was called early Monday morning, and by 1:30 p.m. the entire wall had been repainted a solid black.
On Tuesday, a group of students met to discuss the incident and decided to create the "Prints for Peace" event. These students came together from various groups including Hillel, Jewish Student Group, USG, the Student Executive Council (SEC), and the Student Affairs office, according to sophomore Daniel Engel.
These students went out Tuesday night to paint a dove and a few words meaning "peace." Prints for Peace, advertised via Facebook, took place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, during which time students passing by the wall were asked to lend their hands to the project, literally. Paint was provided in plates for passers-by to dip in their hands, and paintbrushes were available for students wishing to contribute another "peace" translation.
The organizers hoped to get as many hand prints on the wall as possible. "We're promoting tolerance and peace on campus," said Ricky Marcus, the Jewish Student Life coordinator at Hillel.
People from Student Activities and Leadership and members of SEC, the group that is loosely in charge of the spirit wall, may meet in the near future to re-examine the policies pertaining to the wall. No formal actions are currently being taken.
