WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsDisturbing statement found on UW-River Falls campus

Disturbing statement found on UW-River Falls campus

River Falls (WQOW) - Authorities are investigating a very disturbing statement found on the UW-River Falls campus. This is what it read, "It's time for the destruction of blacks and Asians here 11/2/09."

That statement was found inside a campus library bathroom. Some may consider it graffiti, but police are calling it a serious threat. The date in that statement is a major red flag for law enforcement.

Police say it's unusual to find a specific date attached to something like this written in a bathroom. The university says classes will go on as scheduled on Monday, but police will definitely beef up their presence.

The statement was found on the wall of a first floor bathroom of the campus' Chalmer Davee Library on Sunday night. It has since been painted over, but the university says the students targeted won't soon forget the words.

"There was very understandable fear and concern; a sense of anger even that this had happened in this day and age," says Dr. Dean Van Galen, UW-River Falls chancellor.

Police say they're unsure who's behind it, but they believe this was someone acting alone.

"Sometimes it's a wait and see. Usually if a person is conducting themselves in this manner, they'll slip up and tell somebody. And that's what our hope is," says Chief Richard Trende, University Police.

Police say they'll pull out the stops to protect the campus on Monday.

"We take this very seriously. Any act of racism or violence is take extremely seriously," says Chief Trende.

Chief Trende says police will be patrolling the campus on Monday, and will be in residence halls as well as classrooms. The campus is also taking steps to respond to the threat, by holding a "Day of Reflection."

"We're encouraging everyone to wear red that day, as a show of support of the students and community members that have been targeted," says Galen.

Students are also being encouraged to sign a pledge, to respond to bias and prejudice. Galen hopes a public discussion can help the university move forward.

"In many ways we'll be a better place because of this tragedy. It will cause us to reflect," says Galen.

Minorities make up 29-percent of the UW-River Falls student population. That's up 60-percent in the past decade.

Again, classes will go on as scheduled on Monday, but the university says there will be no repercussions for students who were targeted in that threat if they stay home.

River Falls Police, Campus Police and law enforcement officers from St. Croix County and Pierce County will all have a presence on campus Monday.

If you know anything that can help in this investigation, call police.