Overview
- The banner, which was flown on May 13 from the roof of NYU’s Steinhardt building, combined a Star of David, the NYU emblem and two swastikas and was removed within minutes after campus complaints and a 911 call.
- Police say investigators used surveillance video and university electronic-access logs showing an NYU ID swipe to identify 23-year-old Alexander Stepnowsky as the person who raised the banner.
- Stepnowsky was arrested on June 3, arraigned on counts that include hate-crime burglary, criminal trespass as a hate crime and aggravated harassment, pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance.
- NYU condemned the display as antisemitic, said it cooperated with law enforcement and announced it will pursue internal disciplinary measures that could include expulsion or degree revocation.
- The case is unfolding against a record of rising reports of antisemitic incidents on U.S. campuses and could affect campus safety policies, criminal prosecution of hate acts and how universities police political protest.