An art exhibit featuring the works of Guantanamo Bay prisoners at John Jay College is shutting down Monday after a Snapchat message mentioned a threat against “John Jay,” The New York Post reports.
Authorities were not sure if the threat was specifically meant for the college, but the college’s public safety and risk management department decided to close the exhibit to the public until further notice. The art has been shown in the President’s Gallery.
College faculty and staff received the word on Sunday after receiving an email from the department’s director, Diego Redondo.
“As some of you may be aware, a message was posted on Snapchat yesterday indicating a threat to ‘John Jay,'” Redondo wrote. “The threat was not definitive in terms of whether it was directed at John Jay College or John Jay High School in Brooklyn. Since last night, Public Safety has been, and will continue to be, in contact with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on this matter. In an abundance of caution, we are going to close the President’s Gallery, the 9/11 Memorial Hall and the Shiva Gallery to outside visitors tomorrow. Additionally, we will be posting extra security at the entries to the College, and will have a heightened NYPD presence in the area.
“Again, there is no direct credible threat to the College at this point in time. That said, if you have any information or concerns relating to this, please direct them to the Department of Public Safety,” Redondo concluded.
The Post was alerted to the closure after a faculty member disclosed the memo to the newspaper, saying the note was “of concern.”
The college has not yet responded to the story.