Around New England

Anti-Crusader Left-Wingers At Holy Cross Link Swastika Graffiti With Keeping Mascot

February 15, 2018

A one-inch-square swastika was found etched in a classroom table in O’Neil Hall at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester — which is leading some students and faculty members who oppose the school’s Crusader mascot to link the two.

Katie Bowles, a senior, told the Worcester Telegram & Gazette that she sees the Holy Cross trustees’ decision Saturday, February 3 to keep Crusader as the mascot and nickname and the finding of the swastika on Friday, February 9 as connected, adding in an email message:  “This exact act of hate also happened after President Donald Trump was elected. Certain students feel empowered and emboldened to express hate, and to me, that’s unacceptable on this campus.”

A college spokesman, John Hill, condemned the graffiti but said he doesn’t see a connection between keeping Crusader and someone etching a swastika into a table.