MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Black Student Union at Kansas State University will be holding an emergency meeting on how to stop racism on campus Wednesday evening.
This is following an incident Riley County Police are investigating that could be considered a hate crime. Officers said it was still early on in the investigation, but a car at 22nd and Claflin Road in Manhattan was covered in racist remarks. It said things like "die" and "date your own kind".
Investigators said it happened between 1:30 and 3 a.m. Wednesday.
This is troubling to many students on campus and Riley County residents because this is not an isolated incident. In fact, this at least the fourth racist incident to happen in Manhattan since April.
"I was really angry, so angry my blood boiled," said Allie Asplen, who is a junior at K-State. "In all honesty, I wasn't 100 percent shocked."
Just two weeks ago students were outraged when two people wearing white raincoats were in a Snapchat sent by KSU student Sarah Harper.
Jeff Morris, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Kansas State, said there was an investigation taking place into the photo’s intent. He said that all students social media accounts are their own and in no way a voice for Kansas State.
"The administration simply apologizes. They don't take any kind of appropriate response on it. Because it happens off campus they're not liable," said Asplen, who wants K-State to take a harder stance.
KSU did put out this press release, directing people to Riley County Police if they have any information.
Officers said it may be charged as a criminal threat because it had the word "die."
If you have any information on this crime, you are asked to contact the Riley County Police Department at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
