Twice, in recent months, someone vandalized a room Marquette University has turned into an Islamic prayer space and nearby hallways signs. The first incident reportedly occurred following November's presidential election; the second, after President Trump released his revised travel ban against about a half-dozen predominantly Muslim nations.
Marquette's police department has reportedly investigated the vandalism. Now, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, is calling on law enforcement to investigate the episodes as possible hate crimes.
“It is concerning that these acts of vandalism occurred after an election in which Islamophobia was promoted and exploited, and following the announcement of the second ‘Muslim ban," CAIR says, via a statement.
According to a Marquette student publication, the university's Academic Senate is considering a resolution that would condemn violence and hate speech and express support for Muslim students.
