United Tribes Technical College President David Gipp said the vandalism of a student-created sculpture in Bismarck, North Dakota, should be treated as a hate crime.

The "Rising Eagle" sculpture in Pioneer Park was destroyed overnight July 22-23. An eagle that was at the center of a circular wall was removed from the installation.

"The next thing that happens is violence against people. This is against objects, who else do we have to worry about? Gipp asked KFYR-TV.

Law enforcement authorities aren't commenting about the incident until their investigation is complete.

Get the Story:
Gipp wants vandalism labeled hate crime (The Bismarck Tribune 7/29)
Vandalism To Eagle Called Hate Crime by Some (KFYR-TV 7/29)