HOUGHTON — A Michigan Technological University student group’s display inviting students to spray paint messages on a replica of the Berlin Wall drew controversy Friday after students added comments attacking transgender people and other groups.

The student group Young Americans for Freedom had set up the display on Walker Lawn to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall as part of its annual Freedom Week celebration. Students could spray paint messages on two large boards, including over messages already on the board.

Andrew Feys, president of Tech’s YAF chapter, said in an email the activity was part of the group’s Freedom Week celebrations on campus. The display was modeled after the West German side of the wall in the 1980s, which was decorated with pro-freedom messages and other ephemera.

Feys said the event served as “a free speech wall where any student can express their view through words and images.”

Asked if the group had directed the tone or subject matter of the comments, Feys said “We put up blank canvases and took a hands-off approach from there, letting campus members express themselves.”

Along with multiple anti-transgender statements, other targets seen in the graffiti included socialism and the Department of Natural Resources.

In a statement, a university spokesperson said Michigan Tech was aware of the event. Student Affairs staff members were available to talk to students with concerns who sought support.

The wall also drew a group of student protesters. Student Lexi Tater, a senior majoring in sustainability science and society, organized the response. She said she had first seen pictures of the graffiti on a friend’s Instagram post.

She objected to the messages, which she said included insults of transgender people, immigrants and other groups. Tater said when she had started to spray paint “Black lives matter” on the panel, she was approached by another student who asked why she was talking about a group that she wasn’t a part of.

“There were a lot of just very harmful things targeting very marginalized and very sensitive groups on campus that are already in a minority group or facing prejudice,” she said. “It targets them even more and creates an even more not-safe space on campus.”

Tater said she was also concerned about an upcoming event put on by YAF and Turning Point USA, which they advertised as supporting equal benefits, treatment and opportunities for heterosexuals.

Tater got a group of people together, bought poster board at Walmart and created signs protesting the display. Other students also created a petition asking the university to regulate hate speech.

“I just think it was a really disturbing event that tour groups saw,” Tater said. “It was right along the highway. It’s something that shouldn’t represent Michigan Tech, and it doesn’t represent Michigan Tech. It’s a diverse campus, and all groups of people should be treated equally.”

Tater said she had contacted Tech’s dean of students and the director of the Center for Diversity of Inclusion. She only heard back from CDI’s director, who informed her the speech was protected under Tech’s policies.

A section on free speech included on the CDI website distinguished between hate speech and hate crimes; the speech is protected by the First Amendment. It also listed types of unprotected speech — such as “fighting words” (i.e. personally abusive epithets or an invitation to exchange fisticuffs) — as well as potential limits on the time, place and manner of protests.

“The University community recognizes the necessity of protecting First Amendment rights and encouraging free speech,” the website states. “Our community also recognizes that certain conduct can threaten the mutual respect that is the foundation of scholarly communities. Our policies are intended to secure the freedom of expression guaranteed by the United States Constitution while maintaining the trust and mutual respect that are vital to a diverse university community.”

Tater said she and other students planned to write letters to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressing their concern with Tech’s policy. She also talked about a lack of mental health resources on campus, saying that while students would be seen for immediate crises, they were often then referred to off-campus counselors.

The displays were up through Friday afternoon. The event was scheduled to end with demolishing the walls, echoing the eventual removal of the wall in 1989.

Prior to that, a student had disrupted and destroyed the memorial, Feys said.

“Our chapter seeks civil conversation on a diverse variety of topics and positions,” he said. “YAF students don’t tear down posters, rip up table tents, destroy personal property, shout at people, target people online, or call people names. YAF students are constantly met with these problems on MTU’s campus. On Friday we were simultaneously providing all of campus with a way to demonstrate free speech and remember the fall of the Berlin Wall.”

Feys said the student had been pulled in for questioning by administration, but had returned to the event after being released.

A Tech spokesperson said proper university authorities had been informed of the incident, although FERPA protections precluded Tech from commenting on the specific circumstances. Typically in these circumstances, Public Safety would respond and the Office of Student Affairs would review available information for conduct matters, the statement said.