Brown University Image by iStock

Brown University issued a statement Friday condemning an anti-Semitic incident that took place on campus last month, Jewish Journal reported.

Two people not affiliated with the university displayed “a vulgar and highly offensive anti-Semitic sign, and attempting to engage members of our community in discussion” on July 31, according to a notice from Shontay Delalue, Brown University vice president for Institutional Equity and Diversity.

“While we welcome free expression, behavior that creates a hostile environment on campus is not tolerated,” Delalue wrote. “This includes expressions of hatred based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and any other protected classes. I and other members of Brown’s senior leadership — including the offices of the President, Provost and Campus Life — have been in close discussion to learn as much information as possible about this incident. We are saddened that some Brown community members and campus visitors had to witness such abhorrent behavior.“

Antisemitism Notebook

Your weekly guide through the news and the noise of how rising antisemitism and disputes over how to address it are shaping American Jewish life.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Delalue added that the two individuals were told to move their actions from campus – which is privately owned – to public property. The university also plans to establish a call-in line to report bias incidents, she said.

Patrick Little, the neo-Nazi who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in California, took his “Name the Jew” tour — where he holds signs like “Jews Rape Kids” — to Providence, RI, where Brown University is located, on July 31 – the same day as the incident, according to the Anti-Defamation League. It’s unclear if these situations are related.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount