COLUMBUS – Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered an increase in the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s presence on the Ohio State University campus following two antisemitic incidents.
University and Columbus police have reported an assault on two university students by two male suspects early Friday and an incident of vandalism at the Hillel Wexner Jewish Center.
The students were approached by the suspects near 1840 N. High Street at approximately 1:30 a.m., according to a safety message posted by the OSU Police Department.
The suspects yelled a derogatory term at the students and assaulted them, asking if they were Jewish, police said.
One of the two victims was treated at the Wexner Medical Center and released, police said.
“We will not tolerate hate and violence on our college campuses or anywhere in Ohio. These are despicable acts, and as Governor, I will ensure that the State continues our efforts to protect all Ohio students,” DeWine said in a statement released by his office Friday afternoon.
“I have instructed the Ohio State Highway Patrol to coordinate with the Ohio State University Police Department and the Columbus Police Division of Police to provide extra patrols for the area around the OSU campus. These patrols will begin immediately and will assist in ensuring the students and public in and around the university area safe,” DeWine said.
According to a post on OSU Hillel’s Facebook page, someone vandaluzed Israeli flags inside the center, located block away from the scene of the assault.
“Antisemitism and hate speech of any kind is unacceptable, and we condemn violence against anyone,” Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said in a social media post.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Columbus police non-emergency line at 614-645-4545.