A group of artists is claiming responsibility for hanging black nylon stockings in a tree on a South Carolina university campus near a hall named for a post-Civil War-era racist. The group called Association for Artists for Change posted a statement on Twitter on Monday asking why the installation put up early Sunday is more offensive than the name of Winthrop University's Tillman Hall. The group said the display was meant to provoke change. "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman helped lead a mob that killed four blacks in July 1876 as racist whites pushed to regain control of state government during Reconstruction. He served as South Carolina governor from 1890 to 1894. Eighteen stockings filled with dirt to look abstractly like a human head and body were left hanging on branches and a sign saying "Tillman’s Legacy" was taped to a plaque. The "disturbing acts of vandalism" were reported Sunday afternoon, Rock Hill police said. A student told officers he and others had been taking graduation pictures near the steps at Tillman Hall, and didn't see anyone else in the area. The student said he didn't notice if the stockings were there when they started taking pictures. University described the display as "clearly hurtful and threatening, and contrary to the values of Winthrop University. Tillman Hall was vandalized before in 2015, when someone painted "violent racist" on a portrait. Many have called for name change to the building. The university said those responsible "will be held accountable to the campus judicial system and South Carolina state law."

A group of artists is claiming responsibility for hanging black nylon stockings in a tree on a South Carolina university campus near a hall named for a post-Civil War-era racist.

The group called Association for Artists for Change posted a statement on Twitter on Monday asking why the installation put up early Sunday is more offensive than the name of Winthrop University's Tillman Hall.


The group said the display was meant to provoke change.

"Pitchfork" Ben Tillman helped lead a mob that killed four blacks in July 1876 as racist whites pushed to regain control of state government during Reconstruction.

He served as South Carolina governor from 1890 to 1894.

Eighteen stockings filled with dirt to look abstractly like a human head and body were left hanging on branches and a sign saying "Tillman’s Legacy" was taped to a plaque.

Michael Clark

The "disturbing acts of vandalism" were reported Sunday afternoon, Rock Hill police said.

A student told officers he and others had been taking graduation pictures near the steps at Tillman Hall, and didn't see anyone else in the area. The student said he didn't notice if the stockings were there when they started taking pictures.

University described the display as "clearly hurtful and threatening, and contrary to the values of Winthrop University.

Tillman Hall was vandalized before in 2015, when someone painted "violent racist" on a portrait. Many have called for name change to the building.

The university said those responsible "will be held accountable to the campus judicial system and South Carolina state law."