Jonathan Bermudez

Jonathan Bermudez was arrested for hanging “wanted” posters targeting Jewish faculty at the University of Rochester (Rochester) in November 2024.

Jonathan Bermudez was caught on school cameras in an action described by Rochester officials as anti-Semitic. He was later charged with damaging university property.

Bermudez’s activism occurred during Israel’s war against Hamas, called “Swords of Iron.” Israel launched the war after a series of Hamas terror attacks and war crimes against Israeli civilians, including mass murder, torture, rape, beheadings and kidnappings, which were executed on October 7, 2023.

The terror attacks left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead, hundreds kidnapped and thousands wounded. For more information on the October 7, 2023 terror attacks, see the Canary Mission page on Hamas.

As of November 2024, Bermudez’s LinkedIn profile said he was the vice president of Rochester’s Spanish and Latino Students’ in Training for Awareness (UR SALSITA) since January 2024, and community outreach chair for UR SALSITA from September 2023 through December 2023.

On November 24, 2024, UR SALSITA partnered with the Rochester chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP UR) and posted on Instagram: “We, the students of the Spanish and Latino Students’ In Training for Awareness, stand in solidarity with the students being unjustly punished for their criticism of the University. / These individuals are facing unwarranted attacks due to the administration’s public villainization of their actions. We demand the university drop all criminal and conduct charges against those involved. /Solidarity always! / #TheRochester4 #dropthecharges”

The post included a graphic featuring students wrapped in keffiyehs and the caption: “...DROP THE CHARGES - FREE PALESTINE…”

As of November 2024, Bermudez’s LinkedIn profile said he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biology/biological sciences at Rochester, slated to graduate in 2027.

Also as of November 2024, Bermudez was listed on Rochester’s Medical Center as an Emergency Department Research Associate (EDRA) since May 2024.

The University of Rochester is located in Rochester, New York.

In November 2024, Bermudez was one of four Rochester students arrested and charged with felony criminal mischief for damaging the school’s property. Bermudez and the other students were caught on the university’s CCTV cameras putting up hundreds of “wanted” posters on walls, floors, and chalkboards in campus buildings.

The posters targeted Jewish faculty members as well as the director of the university’s Hillel chapter. The posters accused them of [table pp.1-3] “Abuse of Power, Racism,” “Genocide, Censorship, Despotism,” “Connection to War Crimes, and “Genocide, Financial Coercion.”

On November 12, 2024, Rochester’s President, Sarah C. Mangelsdorf, issued a statement that condemned the posters and said: “...several of those depicted appear to have been targeted because they are members of our Jewish community. We view this as antisemitism…”

On November 19, 2024, after the students were arrested, Mangelsdorf published a “Message on Student Arrests” and wrote: “...I am saddened that any member of our community was subject to harassment and intimidation. The posters identifying faculty, staff, and board members have instilled credible fear among those depicted, their families, and other members of our Jewish community. On behalf of my senior leadership team, the Board of Trustees, and myself, I want to underscore that antisemitism will not be tolerated….”

On November 20, 2024, WCHSTV.com reported that the students pleaded “not guilty” to criminal mischief and were released after arraignment.

On November 19, 2024, Rochester’s chief public safety officer, Quchee Collins, published: “Arrests Made as Part of Poster Investigation, and wrote: “...the University is committed to properly addressing and reporting any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers mental or physical health of members of our University community, as well as coordinating the investigation of such crimes with local law enforcement agencies…”

Collins also wrote that the incident was “being treated as a possible hate crime” and that although the students were not currently being charged with committing a hate crime, “This status could possibly change over the course of the legal proceedings…”

On November 27, 2024, wxxinews.org reported that Bermudez appeared in court with his attorney on the charge of criminal mischief in the second degree, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison if convicted, and is set to appear back in court on January 13, 2025.

November 2024 - Plastering “Wanted” Posters of Jews at Rochester

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)

Social Media and Weblinks