At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 24, a group of individuals tagged Grant High School with graffiti.
The graffiti, which covered the school’s main entrance and signs, included spray-painted phrases such as “stop honoring Nazi colonizers,” “stolen land” and “no gentrification,” as well as a banner that read “land back.” The graffiti was visible Wednesday morning, according to KOIN 6 News. PPS maintenance staff had removed it by approximately 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 25.
According to Grant principal James McGee, there is an active investigation into the source of the graffiti. Additional security staff will monitor the campus throughout the week, PPS Public Information Officer Karen Werstein told KOIN 6 News.
McGee condemns the graffiti. “Our community of color … has been disproportionately affected by gentrification, but you’re not helping … us by spray painting,” he says. “We don’t have an infinite amount of money in this district, and any money that we’re spending having to clean up graffiti … takes away the money that we need to be spending on our students.”
Some current and former Grant students have voiced support for the graffiti and the messages it conveys over social media.
This is a developing story. Grant Magazine will interview students about their perspectives.
Do you have thoughts, opinions or information that you would like to share regarding the graffiti? DM us @grantmagazine on Instagram or send us an email at grantmagazine1@gmail.com.
