Students return to Withrow after racist graffiti found

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Police released surveillance video of the person they believe spray-painted racist and homophobic slurs on Withrow High School's campus on the same day students returned to school. Crews spent the weekend cleaning off the racial and homophobic slurs painted on sidewalks windows and doors. The students were warmly greeted by parents, school administrators and community leaders, who cheered and offered high-fives as they got off their buses and headed into the school. Mayor John Cranley and city council member Yvette Simpson both spoke about the despicable vandalism that was scribed on the school grounds. It included racial and homophobic slurs, as well as several swastikas. Sunday, crews spent much of the day scrubbing the vandalism from the building before students returned Monday. The message was clear, this community will stand together moving forward, promoting love over hate. "I love that we all came out for this," said parent Tiffany Roark. "I love that this crowd of people found the time. My original thought was - seven o'clock in the morning, how am I going to get there? I have a son. And I just said - I'll just take him with me. I'll work it out." Cincinnati Public School board president Ericka Copeland-Dansby said, "As a strong community, and as a vibrant school system, we will not be deterred, and we will continue to teach our kids to rise above." Cincinnati police are investigating the crime. State Representative Alicia Reese has asked the attorney general to step in and get involved in the investigation.