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Community, Business Leaders Denounce Vandalism of MLK Plaza

Local government, university and business leaders issued statements on Monday night denouncing the vandalism of the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza mural in downtown State College and expressing their commitment to a welcoming and inclusive community.

On Friday, the logo of a white supremacist organization classified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a hate group was stenciled in a red substance over an image of King on the mural, which depicts photos from the civil rights leader’s 1965 visit to Penn State. A public works crew worked quickly to clean the graffiti from the mural at 131 S. Fraser St.

Leaders from the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, Downtown State College Improvement District, State College Borough, Centre County Board of Commissioners and Penn State condemned the vandalism.

“We are appalled by this act of hate in our community,” Penn State President Eric Barron said. “This vandalism has occurred during a time of ongoing discord and violence in our country, and as university and local community members we must continue to do all we can to speak out against such hate and to stand up against inequality and injustice.”

State College police are investigating the incident as a hate crime and are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

The name of the same hate group, which calls for American fascism and white nationalism, also appeared on graffiti around State College and Bellefonte in January. A State College police spokesperson said suspects in that case have not yet been identified.

State College Mayor Ron Filippelli said the borough appreciates community members and organizations speaking out in support of a welcoming community and denouncing the vandalism. Local faith congregation leaders also organized a “Unite Against Hate” vigil at the plaza on Sunday.

“It shows how our residents, local businesses, and colleagues are united in the fight against hate,” Filippelli said. “Hate-based crimes, like the recent vandalism, is an epidemic, and we must work together to make sure State College is a welcoming community for all.”

Fritz Smith, president and CEO of the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, said business and community organizations will continue to work to advance diversity and speak out against hate.

“As leaders of our respective organizations and as individuals, we are dedicated to building a better quality of life and ensuring positive experiences for everyone who lives here and visits here,” Smith said.

“Embracing diversity and inclusion is central to our corporate missions and to our own daily lives. It is disgusting that some feel the need to vandalize public property, particularly a public space built to remember Dr. King’s message of unity and non-violence, with symbols of hate. These actions do not reflect the community values I believe the vast majority of Centre County residents share.”

Following is a look at what other community leaders had to say.

Centre County Board of Commissioners (Joint Statement):

“These cowardly acts go against what this community celebrates: diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice. We encourage all residents to reflect upon the words Dr. King spoke 56 years ago during his visit to Penn State’s campus — the reason behind the Plaza’s creation — to appreciate the progress we have made but, more importantly, the distance we still have to travel.”

Jesse Barlow, State College Borough Council president:

“The Borough of State College has repeatedly worked to make our community welcoming to everyone, and the recent hate-based vandalism shows that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. We are all disgusted to see a treasured local landmark, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza, being defaced. This monument is meant to be a symbol of Dr. King’s legacy and how it should live on in our community. This mural has served as a gathering space to speak against social injustices and celebrated our community’s diversity. We must all join together in speaking out against hate groups like the one that defaced our mural.”

Lee Anne Jeffries, Downtown State College Improvement District executive director:

“We do not and will not tolerate hate of any kind in our town. We are proud of our nation’s diversity and are committed to respect for our community and guests, no matter their race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.”

Vern Squier, president and CEO of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County:

“As we begin to recover as a community, this is the time to move forward together, resolving to not let abhorrent actions like this divide us or poison our collective future.”