The iconic University of Michigan’s W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden, located in Nichols Arboretum, was vandalized over the weekend with approximately 250 peonies having their flowers cut. The garden, home to over 800 plants and 10,000 flowers at peak bloom, reportedly faced damage that has drawn condemnation from the university.
While the university’s Division of Public Safety & Security (DPSS) has not identified the perpetrator, the motive appears to be anti-Israel, with papers found at the site containing statements such as ‘Plant lives don’t matter. Human lives do,’ and ‘Stop the war. Resist Imperialism.’
The incident comes amid a series of anti-Israel protests on campuses across the United States, with the University of Michigan’s president, Santa Ono, having previously faced vandalism at his home. The campus has also seen similar incidents, with the DPSS actively investigating the matter.
The vandalism also coincided with an alleged terrorist attack on a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, which left multiple individuals injured. The suspect, Mohamad Sabry Soliman, reportedly stated his intent to kill all Zionist people, according to a federal complaint. The investigation into the Michigan incident and the Colorado attack are separate, though both underscore the heightened tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict in the current climate.
In response, the university issued a statement unequivocally condemning the destruction of property and urging community members to engage in constructive dialogue. This incident highlights the intersection of campus life, political tensions, and the broader implications of anti-Israel sentiment in public and academic spaces.