UW-River Falls beefs up security after racist vandalism

by Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — School administrators at the River Falls campus of the University of Wisconsin are beefing up security, after racist graffiti was found in a school bathroom last weekend.

Students and staff are also planning a day of action Monday in protest against racism and hate speech.

So far, no one has stepped forward to claim responsibility for the vandalism. It made explicit threats against Black and Asian students and mentioned a specific date next week.

Student Kayla Rasmussen, a senior at the school who works with Student Affairs, said students are shocked by the racism in the graffiti.

"Our campus is so diverse I guess I assumed that everybody felt the same way that we were all united, so I think in a way that surprised me that somebody would say that and threaten our campus," she said.

Rasmussen said students and staff plan to wear red on Monday in solidarity with Black and Asian students.

A meeting in response to the vandalism is also being held on campus Friday morning.