Timeline Regarding Antisemitic Graffiti Found in Boys’ Bathroom

Graffiti was discovered during the week of May 19 in the second-floor boys’ bathroom of Stuyvesant High School. Much of this graffiti was antisemitic—a disturbing act of hate that sent shockwaves throughout the school community. This incident has been under investigation by the administration and the NYC Department of Education.

Director of Family Engagement Dina Ingram sent out an email after school on Friday, May 23, condemning instances of vandalism in the boys’ bathrooms, as well as deliberate flooding and clogging of the toilets. At the time, antisemitism was not named. It was announced that all boys’ bathrooms except those on the second and seventh floors would be closed and that students would be required to sign in before using the boys’ bathroom.

Later that evening, Principal Seung Yu sent another email elaborating on the vandalism, revealing that the administration had discovered additional drawings on the stalls that included antisemitic imagery. In this second email, Dr. Yu condemned these hateful, vulgar images and called for students to have the courage to speak out against any bigotry within the school.

That night, an anonymous account, @agentx.stuy, appeared on Instagram, posting images of the graffiti and praising the offender(s). In addition, several other anonymous accounts lauded the perpetrator in the posts’ comments. @agentx.stuy continued to publish antisemitic and threatening content throughout the night.

Senior Muhib Muhib, citing the legally mandated ratio of students to bathrooms in public schools, created a petition to reopen the boys’ bathrooms and successfully garnered over 500 signatures. Additionally, upon hearing of the @agentx.stuy account on Friday night, he and senior Leo Schneiderman attempted to identify the owner of the account in several ways, including IP tracing and direct communication with the account. Later that night, the account threatened a commenter by citing possession of handguns, which Muhib quickly reported to the FBI. The account then declared its actions as “rage bait” and deactivated itself.

On the morning of Saturday, May 24, a new Instagram account, @seekingredemption, was created, claiming to be the person behind the original @agentx.stuy account and expressing remorse for their actions. The account also identified another student who it claimed was also behind the original account. However, this new account was promptly deactivated.

That Saturday afternoon, the New York Post published an article claiming that the Stuyvesant administration was attempting to “cover up” the incidents of antisemitism. The article also included two photographs of the graffiti in the stalls—one with Holocaust denial material and the other referencing rapper Kanye West. The New York Post did not originally mention Dr. Yu’s second email from that Friday night. 

Shortly thereafter, two new Instagram accounts were created, both simulating the @agentx.stuy account and one impersonating Muhib. After Muhib reported the account impersonating him to Instagram, that account was suspended. Muhib and Schneiderman then brought their findings about the accounts to the administration. 

On Monday, May 26, Ingram sent another email from Dr. Yu announcing that all boys’ bathrooms would be open and available throughout the day. Additionally, Dr. Yu reached out to teachers, informing them of the graffiti and the New York Post article. 

When students returned to school on Tuesday, May 27, Dr. Yu made morning announcements seeking to condemn hate in the Stuyvesant community and urging students to communicate with one another. These morning announcements continued throughout the week. Social studies teachers also received an email from Assistant Principal of Social Studies Jennifer Suri requesting that they address the graffiti and discuss antisemitism in class.

During the school day, Assistant Principal of Security, Health, and Physical Education Brian Moran met with Muhib to discuss the accounts and antisemitic content. Muhib wrote a statement for the school administrators, compiling and affirming information about the Instagram accounts.

In light of the antisemitic graffiti, the Jewish Student Union hosted a trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City after school on Thursday, May 29. The event was recommended by Dr. Yu and some social studies teachers.

Later that week on Friday, May 30, the Stuyvesant administration was notified of a new incident of vandalism containing antisemitic content in the boys’ bathroom.

Beginning on the week of June 2, the administration implemented a new sign-in policy without formal notice. All students are required to write their name, OSIS number, and signature on a sign-in paper in front of a faculty member to enter the boys’ bathroom. The ninth, eighth, fourth, third, and second floor boys’ bathrooms, as well as the fifth floor gender-neutral bathroom, require students to sign in. The fifth floor boys’ bathroom is closed.

On Tuesday, June 3, due to the ongoing vandalism in the bathrooms, senior and Clubs and Pubs Director Adeline Sauberli announced new limitations for after-school activities to club leaders. Sauberli explained that all club meetings must be held on the third, fourth, and fifth floor with the door open. The new policy also requires a faculty member to be present at each club meeting effective June 9.

This situation is still developing. This timeline is the sequence of events regarding the antisemitic graffiti, vandalism, and closure of the boys’ bathrooms to the best of The Spectator Editorial Board’s reportage as of Wednesday, June 4.

The Spectator Editorial Board has reached out to the Stuyvesant administration and Principal Yu, who have declined to comment on our findings. Therefore, the timeline and details of events cannot be entirely confirmed at this time.