Stanford students stand against anti-Semitism after graffiti found on campus

STANFORD, Calif. (KTVU) - Campus police at Stanford University are investigating offensive graffiti found on several buildings as a hate crime.

On Tuesday night, students attended an event to stand against anti-Semitism.

The event was held at White Memorial Plaza, a popular gathering spot for students.

About 200 students attended, and the mood was somber. The event was organized by the Jewish Student Association.

The gathering is in response to the offensive graffiti that was found on buildings on campus.

A number of students spoke to the crowd about how family members were treated during the Holocaust.

Still photos show a swastika and pentagram that were discovered over the weekend. A swastika was spray painted on the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house and a pentagram was spray painted on the back wall of Casa Italiana.

"It was really upsetting, but I've been impressed by all the support we've gotten and I really appreciate all the allies we have on campus," said Emma Neiman, co-president of the Jewish Student Association.

"I can't imagine any group of people on campus being behind an act like this so I don't know what their motive or reason for doing something like this," said Trevor, a junior at Stanford.

"It sort of puts a bad name on the university. Makes us feel a little bit attacked but it's something that's out in the real world and we have to face it and confront it in a manageable way," said Gaspar, also a junior, who declined to give his last name.

Students tell KTVU they are surprised by the offensive graffiti and that they hope it's not their fellow students at Stanford who are responsible.