WILLISTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Authorities are investigating a threat made against several Vermont synagogues. 

On Saturday, the Brattleboro Police Department issued a news release saying it received a report Dec. 23 that "someone had spray painted what appeared to be a hate symbol (swastika) on a mural in the Harmony Lot, as well as another location on Estey Street." A similar report was made Saturday about the gazebo (bandstand) at the Esteyville Common on Estey Street, police said.  

In a deeply unsettling incident, Nazi imagery was discovered painted on the outside door of Sheldon Elementary School in Vermont, sending shockwaves through the local community. The vandalism, featuring swastikas and other hate symbols, was spotted early Monday morning, leaving school officials and parents horrified by the brazen act of hate. 

A day before prom and two days into Pride month — someone painted a swastika with feces on the walls of Montpelier High School’s gender-neutral bathroom. The following Monday, those who hadn’t heard about it yet were informed, and the whole school spent the morning at an assembly, processing what to many felt like a hate crime. 

Police are investigating after multiple synagogues in Vermont received threatening letters in the mail. mVermont State Police said there is no credible threat. Several Jewish entities got the letters across the U.S. It's unclear what they said.

Middlebury College was one of 60 colleges and universities that received a letter from the Trump administration on Monday, March 10 informing the school that prior allegations of antisemitism on campus would be reinvestigated. The renewed scrutiny on the institution’s treatment of Jewish students comes after a Title VI investigation was opened over a year ago following a complaint filed with the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education.

Last month, federal education officials completed an investigation into the University of Vermont. After students alleged a series of antisemitic incidents on campus, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights launched a probe in August 2022. That investigation culminated in a resolution agreement last month, in which the Burlington university agreed to tighten anti-discrimination protections and allow greater federal oversight.

While some organizations that support Israel have expressed support for the Trump administration’s action, other free speech organizations have said the administration is trying to silence speech it opposes.