Mana Abdi of Lewiston, a student at the University of Maine at Farmington and a member of the UMF Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, spoke at a “Peace in the Park” gathering in Abbott Park on Friday. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Mana Abdi of Lewiston, a student at the University of Maine at Farmington and a member of the UMF Diversity and Inclusion Action Team, spoke at a “Peace in the Park” gathering in Abbott Park on Friday. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Students and community members gathered in Abbott Park on the University of Maine at Farmington campus Friday for an event called “Peace in the Park.” The gathering was a response to a recent act of anti-Semitic vandalism there. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Professor Peter Hardy ends a safe community event with a song. “Peace in the Park” was held Friday in Abbott Park on the campus of the University of Maine at Farmington in response to a recent act of anti-Semitic vandalism in the park. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

Students and community members gathered in Abbott Park on the University of Maine at Farmington campus Friday for an event called “Peace in the Park.” The gathering was a response to a recent act of anti-Semitic vandalism there. (Ann Bryant/Franklin Journal)

FARMINGTON — Reaction to vandalism in Abbott Park on the campus of the University of Maine at Farmington drew a large gathering Friday to stand for “Peace in the Park.”

Anti-Semitic vandalism occurred recently in the park, some of it on trees that were so damaged they required cutting, according to campus police.

The UMF Diversity and Inclusion Action Team responded by gathering students, faculty and townspeople to “show strength in unity and affirm that the community is a safe place for all,” according to a UMF statement about Friday’s event.

Many find Abbott Park a place of refuge to walk and meditate, said Karol Maybury, UMF professor of psychology and a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team.

The team consists of 12 students and faculty members whose goal is to affirm and take action to continue UMF’s identity as a diverse, inclusive community, she said, a community accepting of people of all races, ethnicities, creeds, socioeconomic classes, gender identities, sexual orientations and disabilities.

Student team member Mana Abdi of Lewiston, who spoke at the gathering Friday, suggested that the team encourage a “Wear Purple Wednesday” on campus. 

UMF President Kathryn Foster also spoke but refrained from saying more about the incident because it is an active investigation, she said.

Both speakers addressed civil responses in the face of offensive comments and actions.

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