Swastika Spray Painted At Centennial High School

ROSWELL, GA — Students, educators and staff members returned to class Monday to find graffiti littered in various places at Roswell's Centennial High School. The markings include a swastika that was painted outside the school's entrance.

Principal Anthony Newbold shared the news with Centennial parents in a letter dispatched Feb. 4 to parents and caretakers, which notes the "offensive graffiti" was found in several areas around the campus.

"I am especially disgusted that this perpetrator or group of perpetrators painted a swastika, a historic and extreme emblem of hatred, on our school," Newbold said.

Centennial staff members contacted the Fulton County School System's Police Department, which is handling the investigation. Custodians are also working to remove the graffiti and restore the building to its previous state, the principal said in his letter.

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

Newbold reiterated that neither vandalism nor graffiti will be tolerated at Centennial High School, and "our community rejects the hatred these symbols represent."

"Be assured that as Centennial Knights, we find these actions offensive and completely against our beliefs as an open and accepting school community," he added, adding he reached out to rabbis in the community and "met on a unified response" to the discovery.

Newbold concludes his letter with a quote from famed poet Maya Angelou, which notes "in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.”

"Centennial is beautiful, and Centennial is strong," he added. "There is no place for hate here!"

A photo of the swastika was shared with State Rep. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs, who posted the picture on his Facebook page. McLaurin represents House District 51, which encompasses Centennial High School. McLaurin said Monday's discovery is an "outrage, and a reminder that racism and hate are still among us every day."

"We can’t rest when something like this happens — we have to lift our voices in solidarity with those who are threatened by this," he added. "Roswell will be an inclusive community only if we fight to keep it that way."

See also: 'Whites Only' Sign Placed Above School Water Fountain

Image via State Rep. Josh McLaurin