Belchertown, MA (WSHM) — A UMass Amherst student accused of writing intimidating racist messages on residence hall doors was arraigned in Eastern Hampshire District Court on Monday morning.
Devin Ayres, 20, of North Andover, was arraigned on charges of vandalizing property, and property damage to intimidate, according to Ed Blaguszewski, executive director of media relations at UMass.
Judge Thomas Estes ordered that Ayers stay away from the UMass campus and the victims. Ayers’ bail was set at $200, which he had already posted. His case was continued until Nov. 21.
The two incidents occurred earlier this month and Ayers was arrested late Friday night following an investigation by the UMass Police Department.
The graffiti called for killing blacks and Mexicans and was found on doors in the Southwest residential area of the Amherst campus.
Students who attended a meeting last Wednesday with Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said they feel threatened and some said it’s not the first time they had experienced racism on the sprawling campus.
On Thursday, thousands of UMass Amherst students, faculty and staff packed into the Student Union for a town hall diversity discussion.
The investigation into similar incidents continues, UMass police said.
By Chris Rueli
