Portraits of Black Faculty Members Defaced at Harvard Law School

About six portraits were found Thursday with tape on the glass frames

Portraits of black faculty members have been defaced at Harvard Law School, according to school officials.

Several portraits were discovered Thursday with black strips of tape placed diagonally over the faces of black faculty. The portraits in question are on the first floor of Wasserstein Hall, which houses two hallways with more than 180 framed portraits of law professors.

About six portraits were discovered with tape on their glass frames. The tape has since been removed.

Harvard officials said they don't know if there's a connection between the vandalism and a Wednesday rally on campus supporting black students across the country. Harvard University Police are investigating the incident but declined to comment.

The school's dean scheduled a community meeting Thursday in response to the discovery of the defaced portraits. 

"The Harvard University Police Department is investigating the incident as a hate crime," the school said in a statement. "The HLS community gathered at noon to listen to one another, to share our concerns, experiences and perspectives, and to address ways to move forward. Expressions of hatred are abhorrent, whether they be directed at race, sex, sexual preference, gender identity, religion, or any other targets of bigotry. Here at HLS, we are focused on efforts to improve our community, examining structures that may contribute to negative experiences of any members of our community, and pursuing opportunities where the School can both change and support change."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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