Associated Press - November 20, 2009 2:44 PM ET

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) - Dozens of protesters, including students and faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, gathered to protest a recent string of vandalism and harassment on campus.

Organizers passed out signs Thursday as protesters stood in silence on the outer ring of UNI's Maucker Union fountain to voice their opposition to intolerance. "Basta ya" - Spanish for "enough already" - was one phrase on signs.

Protesters expressed concern about the most attention-getting incident, the spray-painting on Nov. 8 of a swastika on a bench outside the university's Dancer Hall.

Hispanic literature student Carmen Castillo says Hispanic students have been targeted by harassment in recent weeks. She says the protest was designed to show that those being harassed will not be silent.

UNI president Benjamin Allen says the event was an opportunity to peacefully show their dedication and commitment to diversity."

Information from: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, http://www.wcfcourier.com

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.