Syracuse University and Onondaga County officials say two students are facing hate crime charges following an incident at a fraternity’s Rosh Hashanah dinner.
WSYR-TV reports 18-year-old Samuel Patten is accused of entering the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house on the first night of Rosh Hashanah and throwing pork on the floor and walls while members were eating. The incident reportedly occurred around 6 p.m., during a dinner celebrating the Jewish holiday.
A second student, 18-year-old Kyle Anderson, is charged with driving Patten to and from the fraternity house, according to the Onondaga County District Attorney and Syracuse University administrators.
In a statement to the campus community, Syracuse University described the incident as a serious violation of community values. The university noted that pork is not considered kosher under Jewish law, making the act particularly offensive to those celebrating the holiday.
Patten and Anderson are now facing hate crime charges as the investigation continues.
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