A University of Michigan regent's law office was defaced with anti-Semitic words.
Jordan Acker, a regent for the University of Michigan and partner at Goodman Acker, described a recent crime as a challenging moment for him and the whole community. Last month, an unidentified person visited Acker's home at 4:30 a.m., demanding that he defund the police, he claimed.
Police in Southfield were summoned to the law office on Monday around 8:15 a.m. according to Chief of Police, Elvin Barren, during a media briefing. Barren reported that at 1:39 a.m. on June 3, four people were filmed approaching the building from the east side. One stood guard, while the other three destroyed property.
The building and the sidewalk in front of it had messages like, "divest now," "free Palestine," and a personal threat to Acker: "F*** you Acker." Images from the firm show these profound expressions.
The suspects were inside the office for approximately seven minutes, according to Barren. CNN contacted the police to request access to the surveillance footage.
In regard to this matter, the Southfield Police Department is investigating it as a hate crime, as per Barren. The investigation includes assistance from the FBI, University of Michigan police, and Huntington Woods police.
Acker, addressing the press on Monday, stated, "Clearly, targeting individual Jewish elected officials is an indication of antisemitism. This act has nothing to do with Palestine, the war in Gaza, or anything else. This is all about scaring Jews."
Earlier this year, Acker faced another incident where he was singled out. On May 15, an unidentified individual knocked on his door while his three children were sleeping. Acker deemed that occurrence "unacceptable" and pledged not to be intimidated.
Barry Goodman, a founding partner of the firm, announced during the same news conference, "This wasn't an attack on our office, but on our values and our mission." Goodman then emphasized that Goodman Acker is not solely owned by Jewish members but also has Muslim and Christian ownership.
"We've been serving all faiths, all races for over 30 years, so this is absolutely ludicrous. This is a crime," he said.
Goodman continued, commenting on the protesters, "They're free to walk the sidewalk, hold signs, and make statements, as long as the constitution permits these actions. However, they cannot do this."
In a statement to CNN, University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono expressed her dismay towards "the vandalism that transpired at Regent Jordan Acker's place of business, which is abhorrent."
Ono continued, stating, "This despicable incident targeted this committed public servant. It's unacceptable and should be considered an act of antisemitic cowardice, as police have suggested that this case will be examined as a hate crime. There is no room for such harassment or attempts to intimidate in a civil society or within our university community."
Governor Gretchen Whitmer denounced the damage as "abhorrent" in an official statement.
"Violence, vandalism, threats, and intimidation are unacceptable. We are stronger when united in rejecting any form of hatred, and together we must strive for peace in Michigan," Whitmer said.
On Monday, shortly after the incident, Acker expressed his appreciation for the support received from various groups.
"I was not targeted here because I'm a regent but rather because I'm Jewish," he said.
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The University of Michigan community, where Jordan Acker serves as a regent, is deeply affected by this incident as well.
Despite facing challenges at both his home and law office, Acker and his firm, Goodman Acker, continue to serve all faiths and races in the community.
