Anti-Israel graffiti at UM regent’s law firm investigated as a hate crime

Southfield Police are investigating anti-Israel vandalism that took place early Monday at the Goodman Acker law firm as a potential hate crime.

University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker works at the office. The graffiti on the building was critical of both Acker and the university’s investments in Israeli companies amid the country’s ongoing campaign in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack.

Red and black spray paint on the building’s facade, sign and sidewalk read “Free Palestine,” “Divest or F— off,” ” “F— you Acker” and “UM Kills.”

Jordan Acker says he wasn’t targeted due to his anti-divestment stance.

“I was not targeted here today because I am a regent, I am targeted for this because I am Jewish,” he said.

Acker says protesters would be welcome to demonstrate outside the law firm’s offices. However he called the vandalism with slogans urging divestment and saying “UM Kills” and “Free Palestine” a “significant escalation.”

Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) says the Jewish community in Michigan — and globally — is on edge right now.

“What we only see here on the side of this building is free Palestine, not release the hostages not even replace Netanyahu if that’s what they want. And so it leaves the rest of us to fill in the blanks of what does that mean? What what do they want to achieve? And by vandalizing and trying to intimidate a Jewish business in a Jewish neighborhood, it feels antisemitic,” he said.

Last month, other University of Michigan regents were targeted for protests over their refusal to divest from Israeli companies and weapons manufacturers. A pro-Palestinian, anti-war encampment on the U-M Diag was later violently broken up by police.

Southfield Police Chief Elvin Barren called the vandalism “horrific,” and said the FBI, University of Michigan and Huntington Woods police are assisting the Southfield Police Department with the investigation, “but it could expand to other agencies as well,” he said.

There were four people caught on video and police are asking for leads to help identify them.