Photos of Black Professors Are Defaced at Harvard Law School

Black tape was found covering the faces of black Harvard Law School professors on framed photographs outside a lecture hall on Thursday, a day after students there held a rally in solidarity with other campuses protesting racism across the country.

Photos of the taped-over pictures circulated on Twitter:

In response to yesterday’s protests, cowards have covered the faces of Harvard Law’s Black professors w/ black tape. pic.twitter.com/IuNd9ckucj

— the other one (@imfromraleigh) November 19, 2015

WCVB, a Boston television station, reports the university is investigating the incident.

The incident prompted Harvard Law to hold a community meeting, according to a reporter for The Harvard Crimson who tweeted updates from the event:

A #Harvard Law School “community meeting” after portraits of black faculty were vandalized today. @thecrimson pic.twitter.com/7AApdu9uhw

— Andy Duehren (@aduehren) November 19, 2015

Racism is a “serious problem” at Harvard Law School, Dean Martha Minow affirms at end of community meeting. @thecrimson

— Andy Duehren (@aduehren) November 19, 2015

Racism is a long-simmering issue at the prestigious law school. Recently, students there have called for a change in the school’s seal, which is the coat of arms of the first person to endow a professorship of law at Harvard. The donor, Isaac Royall Jr., derived part of his wealth from the slaves he owned.