This is a public statement by government officials excusing criminal acts. They acknowledge that the vandals with the paint violated Atta’s rights, but then say that Atta should have expected this violation. They reframe and minimize his property being attacked as him “not being welcomed with open arms.” This is how government officials build a permission structure for hate crimes, which then occurred with the more brazen attack that very night. 

Palestinian solidarity activists in Milwaukee have been threatened, spat on, and subject to trespassing and vandalism in their homes. Five of them were beaten, restrained and dragged into custody by police. Some Zionists even went to Marquette under the cover of darkness and armed with a pistol to desecrate a Palestinian memorial.

Beginnings are hard. Some of them you’re forced into: being born, your first day at school, the first time you have to pay your own rent. This is different: we’re voluntarily starting something new, we aren’t sure how it will go, but we hope it’s worth the effort.