Off-campus residences of Santa Ono and UMich CIO vandalized

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The words “coward” and “intifada” were spray painted on University of Michigan President Santa Ono’s West Bloomfield home and sidewalk yesterday. “Intifada,” the Arabic term for revolution or uprising, refers to Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation. Monday marked one year since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza. 

The home of Erik Lundberg, the University’s chief investment officer, was also vandalized, according to The Detroit News. 

In May, U-M student protesters demonstrated outside the homes of Regent Sarah Hubbard (R) and Regent Jordan Acker (D), leaving body bags and toys covered with fake blood on the front lawn of Hubbard’s residence. In June, Acker’s law office was vandalized with messages calling for divestment and Palestinian liberation. 

The incidents follow months of campus protests calling on the University to divest from companies profiting off the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. 

Acker condemned Monday’s vandalism as an unwarranted act of intimidation, as reported by WXYZ Detroit. 

“We’re elected officials — we understand it is the job of elected officials to hear grievances from our constituents,” Acker said. “But this is not that. This is targeted harassment and it’s criminal.”

In an email to The Michigan Daily, University spokesperson Colleen Mastony wrote the West Bloomfield Police Department is currently investigating the incident.

“President Ono’s home was vandalized early in the morning Oct.7,” Mastony wrote. “Questions regarding the ongoing investigation should be referred to the West Bloomfield Police Department.”

Daily Staff Reporter Noor Khanafer can be reached at noorkk@umich.edu.

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