Two students who have been charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly destroying an Arts Quad display that denounced the recent violence in Gaza acted on their own and not as part of a political organization, according to Cornell Police.

"There was no indication they were acting under the guise of any group's motivations," said Deputy Chief Kathy Zoner. "Groups were blamed for the action. They were the easiest and most convenient target for blame, but apparently that wasn't the truth of the matter."

Campus police are still seeking information related to a second incident that occurred between Feb. 11 and 12, in which hundreds of the flags were rearranged on the Quad into a Star of David, Zoner said.

Several community members came forward and identified the students, Zoner said. Campus police ticketed two students Feb. 20, charging them with violations of the Campus Code of Conduct, including disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. The cases have been referred to the Office of the Cornell Judicial Administrator for review and adjudication. The students' names are not being made public, Zoner said.

The incident sparked widespread speculation that a politically oriented organization was responsible for the vandalism.

Students with the Islamic Alliance for Justice had created the display Feb. 9, lining the Arts Quad's pathways with 1,300 black flags and signs with information from the United Nations and Amnesty International, to spark discussion about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Each flag represented a Palestinian or Israeli who died in the attacks. The display was vandalized later in the day and several times subsequently.

On Feb. 12, President David Skorton issued a statement condemning the destruction. Cornell Hillel released a statement that supported pro-Israel activities on campus. The Cornell Daily Sun ran a series of editorials, articles and letters to the editor that were both pro- and anti-Israel. The incident was also raised at two panel discussions on the violence in Gaza, Feb. 18 and Feb. 19.