Portland Racism: Third School In Weeks Tagged With Hate Graffiti

PORTLAND, OR — For the third time in three weeks, students are being forced to attend class at a crime scene. Over the weekend, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary was the victim of a racist graffiti attack.

The attackers spray painted swastikas and the a racial epithet meant to denigrate Black people.

Recently, Bridlemile Elementary and Robert Gray were also attacked.

"Student safety is our top priority," King Elementary Principal Teresa Seidel wrote to parents and staff on Sunday. "This afternoon at approximately 3 pm that core value was tested. The interior and exterior of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary School was vandalized.

"The intruders spray painted out main floor with hate speech and symbols... swastikas and the use of the N word."

Seidel wrote that the crime was reported to Portland Police as well as the district's security office and that the graffiti was being removed.

"To our Black and Jewish families, we want to especially stress our regret about this incident," Seidel added.

The school's PTA president, Tiffany Robinson said that while PTA members are "heartbroken and enraged," it's important to remember that "the diversity of our school is our greatest asset. It makes us strong. It makes us powerful. It makes us resilient.

"The hate crime committed on our campus is a test for our community and one we must meet with education, compassion, and support for one another."