PALO ALTO, CA — A noose found hanging from a bush at Stanford University this weekend prompted a quick call this week for an investigation into the suspicious circumstance. The matter may turn into a hate crime — as hate shows no discrimination on where it may appear.
The Stanford Department of Public Safety responded to a report this weekend of what was described as a noose near a residence for summer students. Security deputies found a white rope measuring three-feet in length and one-quarter- to one-third of an inch in diameter, with a loop at one end, suspended from a tall bush.
NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley President Jethroe Moore, a pastor who has led the organization since 2008, told Patch he’s unaware of any incident of this magnitude occurring on campus of what is deemed to be a progressive academic organization.
“I’ve heard of other incidents across the state, across the country, but not one like this at Stanford,” Moore said. “I think this is representative of the type of climate currently in America, sponsored by the man who resides in the White House.”
Moore took a jab at U.S. President Donald Trump in reference to the fervor over his tweet regarding four women of color in the U.S. House of Representatives who have criticized his actions. There have been other instances.
Moore called for aggressive prosecution of those responsible for such gestures.
“Stanford needs to be really aggressive to go after this individual,” he said.
The incident is under investigation as a suspicious circumstance, but if additional evidence comes to light it may be re-classified as a hate crime.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Stanford Department of Public Safety at 650-329-2413.
In addition, Stanford’s Acts of Intolerance office, which addresses situations involving acts of intolerance reported by campus community members, has been notified and is responding.
“While we await further conclusions from the investigation, we feel it is important to state that a noose is recognized as a symbol of violence and racism directed against African American peoples. Such a symbol has no place on our campus. Our community values affirm the dignity of all peoples and call upon us to strive for a just community in which discrimination and hate have no presence,” a Stanford University spokesman declared in a statement.