A mural honoring prominent Black figures was defaced over the weekend on the Washington University campus in St. Louis. According to the Associated Press, university officials, including Chancellor Andrew Martin, sent a letter to students and staff on Sunday, addressing the vandalism, which depicted racist symbols. 

RELATED: Florida Mural Shows First Black Female Firefighter With a White Face 

“Late last night, we became aware of a despicable act of vandalism on the Danforth Campus. A small group of unknown individuals defaced portions of the beautiful “The Never-Ending Story” mural in the South 40 underpass, painting over the faces of prominent Black figures and adding the name and symbol of a known white supremacist group,” officials wrote in the letter. “This is horrifying and distressing. We’re shocked and saddened by this hateful act on our campus. ”  

The mural is painted on the wall of a pedestrian tunnel that connects dorms to the rest of campus. School officials are hopeful that cameras that monitor the area will help identify the person who defaced the mural. 

RELATED: Officers Sue Over Black Lives Matter Mural Alleging Harassment, Discrimination 

Local artists painted the piece in 2020 with the goal of “bringing a message of social justice to the space,” the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The figures in the mural include civil rights attorney Homer G. Phillips, Annie Malone, Robert L. Williams, Rep. John Lewis and Chadwick Boseman.  

University officials issued a statement denouncing racism and hate. “Let us say again, so there is absolutely no room for doubt: Washington University stands unequivocally against hate, bigotry, racism, xenophobia and discrimination in any form. There is no place on our campus for these behaviors and this type of harmful action will not be tolerated or ignored,” officials said.  

RELATED: Two Arrested for Allegedly Defacing Black Lives Matter Mural in California  

Officials said there is still work to be done to make the school environment safe and welcoming to everyone. 

If you or someone you know is struggling from trauma triggered by this story, resources are available here.