Racist graffiti was discovered at Joseph P. Tynan Elementary School in South Boston on Wednesday morning.
Custodial staff at the school discovered hateful messages painted on several areas of the school and notified Boston School Police and Boston Police shortly thereafter. The incident is under investigation and the Civil Rights Unit of the Boston Police Department has been informed of the incident.
Behavioral health staff and school psychologists were dispersed to the school to provide support for any students or staff in need, and parents will receive phone calls, emails and letters home to notify them of the incident.
Boston Public Schools issued a statement condemning the graffiti:
"Incidents like this are in no way reflective of the safe, secure and supportive environment that the Boston Public Schools are committed to fostering, nor the values embodies by our students, staff and families, each of whom are valued members of our community."
Boston City Councilor-at-Large Michael F. Flaherty and Boston City Councilor of District 2 Ed Flynn issued a joint statement saying they were disgusted by the hate graffiti.
"What was discovered at the Tynan School this morning should be called by what it is: disgusting hate speech. We are disgusted, saddened and outraged to see the damage done to our school community and neighborhood - this is not who we are."
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Boston Mayor Marty Walsh echoed their message with a statement saying the graffiti is a "complete misrepresentation of who we are as a city."
"Racism and threats of this nature will not be tolerated in our schools or in the City of Boston. To whoever wrote this message, you should be ashamed for spreading this message of hate where our young people go to learn. Boston is a place that is welcoming and inclusive of all."
