Four people have admitted to painting racist and threatening messages about President-elect Barack Obama in the Free Expression Tunnel Wednesday.
According to Campus Police Captain Jon Barnwell, after an investigation with the Secret Service, it was determined that those who painted the messages, which included “Let’s shoot that n—– in the head,” did not commit a crime.
“We investigated it as if it was a criminal act,” Barnwell said. “There was no validity to the threats. What allows me to release their names is it being a crime. The uprising of the community to release those individuals’ names could jeopardize their safety.”
After receiving reports of the offensive language, Facilities crews painted the Free Expression Tunnel white to cover it up Wednesday morning, Barnwell said.
Student Government sponsored a “unity rally” today to address the issue, and a couple hundred students came to the Brickyard to watch.
In an unplanned speech, Tracey Ray, director of Multicultural Student Affairs, said she wanted the names of the guilty.
“If we don’t know, how can we be assured that justice is served?” she said.
Tom Stafford, vice chancellor for student affairs, read a statement from Chancellor James Oblinger, and said he could not attend because of a prior engagement.
Stephanie Parker, assistant to the chancellor, said Oblinger was taking part in a filming for the Jimmy V. Cancer Therapeutical Center, so he could not come to the rally.
