Police investigating appearance of swastika on concert hall piano

Stanford’s Department of Public Safety is investigating the appearance of a crudely drawn swastika that was etched onto the lid of a piano at Bing Concert Hall.

The dinner-plate-sized symbol, inaccurately drawn but closely resembling a swastika, apparently was etched onto the piano lid using a fine instrument and was accompanied by the misspelled word “Natzis.”

Police are investigating the vandalism as a hate crime.

“Particularly in the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre just a few weeks ago, it’s critical to state that this symbol of hatred has absolutely no place in the Stanford community,” said Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne. “We reject the ignorance and intolerance behind its appalling appearance on our campus.”

A concert hall staff member discovered the vandalism Tuesday when removing the piano from a locked storage area and uncovering it in preparation for a concert. The vandalism is believed to have occurred sometime after a Nov. 18 concert, when the piano was on the main stage at the concert hall, in an area accessible to visitors to the hall.

No suspects have been identified in the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Stanford Department of Public Safety at (650) 329-2413.