The Delta Tau Delta fraternity house at the University of Florida was vandalized with swastikas and Donald Trump references over the weekend.
In response to the group of anti-Trump protesters marching down West University Avenue and past the fraternity house on Saturday, members of DTD stood on their lawn waving a Trump flag.
#Trump supporters at fraternity house across from University of Florida as #NotMyPresident protestors walk by. #TrumpProtest pic.twitter.com/xmRszC0odl
— Michael Stone Ⓥ (@Michael__Stone) November 19, 2016
The Florida Alligator reports that the night following the protest, three of the fraternity house columns were spray-painted with hearts, swastikas, and the words “rape” and “Trump.”
Photo of vandalism to @UF chapter of Delta Tau Delta house between Saturday night and Sunday morning before being repainted. @TheAlligator pic.twitter.com/SvsGc7BEIY
— Caitlin Ostroff (@ceostroff) November 21, 2016
Gainesville Police spokeswoman Lt. Tscharna Senn also told The Alligator that a window in the kitchen was also broken, but no one was hurt.
President of the UF Delta Tau Delta chapter, William Hunter Hedman, told The Alligator that he believes the members waving the flag were practicing their right to free speech.
“It’s just unfair that people generalize certain things about us,” says Hedman. “We did nothing wrong. We provoked nothing.”
Another member of the fraternity, Kevin Kimbrough, told The Alligator that the vandalism does not represent the fraternity’s values. He also stressed that regardless of the vandalism, he doesn’t want to generalize the anti-Trump protesters as vandals.
The fraternity took to Facebook on Sunday to address the vandalism.
University President Kent Fuchs expressed his disappointment with the vandalism on Twitter Sunday night.
Saddened to learn Delta Tau Delta house was vandalized w/ offensive messages. I denounce all statements and symbols that hurt or disparage.
— W. Kent Fuchs (@PresidentFuchs) November 21, 2016
According to ABC WCJB, the Gainesville police estimate the damages from the vandalism add up to $1400.