Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - Four University of Rochester students facing felony charges for their alleged involvement in plastering "wanted" posters across campus pleaded not guilty Wednesday.
The university has called the posters antisemitic and said those depicted in them were apparently targeted for being Jewish.
The four students — Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, Samantha Escobar and Jefferson Turcios — all appeared in jumpsuits in Rochester City Court, pleading not guilty to criminal mischief. They were released after arraignment.
The courtroom was filled with supporters of the students.
"Having treated this as a police matter from the start is highly highly concerning and chilling," said Joshua Dubler, an associate professor of religion at the U of R.
According to court documents, the four were captured on surveillance video spraying chalkboards and whiteboards with a strong adhesive before pasting the "wanted" posters to them.
BACKGROUND: Four U of R students charged in antisemitic poster case; fifth suspect being investigated | University of Rochester identifies five persons of interest in antisemitic poster case | UR faculty member reflects on being targeted by harmful campus posters | 'Not doing enough': Jewish students at UR on edge after 'wanted' signs posted on campus
"It’s been a lot to deal with, and these are some of the most kind, hard-working people that I go to class with and see every day," said Sarah Aljitawi, a third-year student at the U of R. "It was just really difficult to watch them be put in this position."
More than 50 people attended Wednesday's arraignments.
"I couldn’t stay home today. I don’t feel like I have a choice. I am elected to represent my constituents," Rochester City Councilmember Stanley Martin said. "I am elected to speak truth to power, and that’s exactly why I am here today. I understand my position and, as an elected city councilmember, I am strongly opposing this — and I think it's important for other leaders to step up and say these are kids."
"These posters were not making threats," said Zora Gussow from Rochester Jewish Voices for Peace. "They were calling out behavior and connections that are related to supporting a genocide against the Palestinian people."
"Shame. Shame. Shame. On the university president. Shame on the chief of public safety. Shame on the University of Rochester," Martin said. "We stand with the students and shoutout to every single person who is fighting for Free Palestine, who’s fighting for the university to divest and instead invest in our community."