White supremacist posters found on WWU campus

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Western Washington University police said white supremacist posters and stickers were found on the campus early Friday.

The university said the posters and stickers were from the white supremacist group Patriot Front.

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They were found on light poles in Red Square, in front of Wilson Library, in front of the Communications building, in Haskell Square and in other places across Western’s main campus in Bellingham.

The posters were removed.

University police have started an investigation.

“Western Washington University strongly condemns the white supremacist beliefs of the Patriot Front. Hate will not be tolerated in our community. Both the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League have the Patriot Front on their watch lists,” a news release from WWU said.

University officials said any more posters found will be taken down immediately.

Anyone who sees such posters or stickers is asked to call the customer service number of WWU Facilities Management at 360-650-3420. Staff will then be sent to remove the posters or stickers on campus property.

University officials said there has been a rise of such incidents in the community.

According to reports, people in Bellingham’s Lettered Streets neighborhood said they recently found white supremacist fliers on their doorsteps.

Earlier this week, Western said it sent an email message to students about two recent incidents.

WWU officials said there was a report of a man shouting racial epithets near the Buchanan Towers residence hall on campus. Another incident was reported in downtown Bellingham where two men were holding rifles.

Through video footage, Bellingham Police verified the men were not pointing at or threatening anyone with the rifles.

“While this may not be illegal, it can also be troubling and feel threatening to those passing through downtown,” the school said in a news release.

Anyone can anonymously report criminal activity to University Police by calling 360-650-7233.

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