NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Anthony Day, the president of the Fordham Preparatory School in New York City, along with the school principal Joseph Petriello, has issued a statement announcing the suspension of students caught spraying antisemitic graffiti, as per Daily Mail.
Originally from Monmouth County, New Jersey, Day taught English at the school from 1992 to 1999 and was appointed as the school's president in October this year.
Fordham Preparatory is a $24,000-a-year all-boys Catholic prep school run by the Jesuits in The Bronx area. It currently has 956 students across grades 9 to 12.
As per the statement, the school came to know about the possible hate crime-fueled act of some students just two days after the Israel-Hamas war started on October 7. The identities of the students haven't been released.
Anthony Day says the students' actions were 'deplorable'
Anthony Day and the school principal, in the letter written to the student's parents, said that some students were involved in off-campus incidents related to the spraying of graffiti containing antisemitic symbols and texts, which incidentally took place on October 9, two days after the outbreak of the war.
On the same day, a group of four boys were seen making graffiti of swastikas and the word "Hamas" on an upper Manhattan building. However, it is not known if they go to Fordham Preparatory School.
The statement read, "Anti-Semitic language and actions are antithetical to our Catholic Jesuit values," adding, "Fordham Prep unequivocally condemns offensive and hateful language and action in all its forms."
Day and Petriello ensured the parents that the school officials had emphasized the school policy of "zero-tolerance for hateful language or behavior" by meeting the entire student body through grade-level assemblies.
Fordham Prep is investigating the allegations against the students
According to the letter, Fordham Prep contacted the accused students' parents to inform them that the allegations are being investigated and that "their sons should not return to school until further notice."
The school has already met with its leadership team, discussed further actions, and is willing to cooperate with law enforcement officials if needed.
"Fordham Prep reserves the right to cede any investigation to law enforcement officials should they become involved in a matter concerning one or more Prep students. We will fully cooperate with any police investigation into this incident," mentioned the school's statement.
Fordham Prep ensured the Jewish community that they would always be supported despite the rising hate crimes, writing, "Fordham Prep will continue to be a community of compassion, love, and understanding."
The statement added, "While we are all offended by this universal symbol of hate, to our Jewish sisters and brothers, know that Fordham Prep stands beside you, and we continue to welcome your participation in our community healing process," wrote the president and the principal.
According to the Daily Mail, antisemitic activities have risen by 330% in New York City since the outbreak of the war. The alarming rise of such incidents has forced President Joe Biden to alert schools and colleges about taking action against antisemitic behaviors on the campuses.
