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Group charges Johnson died trying to mount swastika flag atop COM
The Anti-Defamation League released a statement today charging that Benjamin Johnson "fell to his death while attempting to plant a flag with a swastika on it atop" the College of Communication building.

"This news makes a sad story even more sad. It is sad that anyone would think flying a Nazi flag could be a humorous prank," said Andrew Tarsy, civil rights director of the ADL, in a written statement. "There is nothing funny about the swastika and the racism and anti-Semitism it represents to so many people."

Boston University provided Marsh Chapel for Johnson's Tuesday memorial service, but did not have the details of the police report at the time of the planning Monday afternoon.

BU spokesman Colin Riley said since the matter is under investigation by Boston Police, the University couldn't comment at this time other than to affirm a strong stance against bias incidents of any kind on campus.

Johnson, a computer science major from Alexandria, Va., fell from a third-floor fire escape on the rear of the COM building early Monday and died upon impact with a metal grating. He was 20.

Monday afternoon the University had indicated that no disciplinary action would be taken toward the three other men accompanying Johnson, in what officials originally termed a "prank" of "mischief, not malice."




Johnson remembered by community

College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Benjamin Johnson, a computer science major, poet and friend of many, died early Monday when he fell from the College of Communication building after trying to mount a flag on its roof. He was 20.

Yesterday, about 350 members of the Boston University community joined Johnson’s family to share memories and rejoice in the religious faith and zeal with which Johnson led his life.

Johnson’s father, Presbyterian Pastor John Johnson, delivered a sermon praising his son as a devout Christian and passionate person.

“Those of you who knew Benjamin knew very well that he was not a pillar of virtues,” said Pastor Johnson. “He had rough edges. Benjamin was very intense, very extreme. He was very interesting — passionate. And at times, his passion ... would go overboard.”

Maintaining his composure through the sermon, Johnson’s father pointed to scripture passages, preached about his son’s entry into the “Kingdom of God” and told attendees to celebrate that Johnson is now in safe hands.

Johnson’s friends shared anecdotes, poems and other remembrances of him — both light-hearted and solemn. They said that Johnson had many facets, including being a computer game aficionado and an accomplished musician and philosopher.

A member of the Navigator’s Bible Study group, who had known Johnson since his freshman year, began the open microphone remembrances with a comical account of their relationship, in which they teased each other for fun. The account caused a number of attendees to laugh.

In addition to being a jokester, a number of speakers said Johnson was one who challenged people in many areas, including in philosophical arguments and games.

“He had competition in his blood. It reminds me of when I challenged him to a chess game — one — I got about five moves in,” one friend said.

“I know I will see him again, because he and I have faith in Jesus Christ,” said a member of his Bible study class, who had known Johnson for almost two yea.

Johnson’s Bible Study teacher, Rev. John Andrew Ross, spoke about how Johnson’s interest in the course had evolved throughout the year.

“In talking with his dad, I think he has grown up here at BU. ... He transformed this past year to a man of great poise, to a man of high self-confidence and a man of maturity, invariably,” Ross said.

Johnson, of Alexandria, Va., was a skillful musician and athlete. He trained with top piano and organ teachers including nationally renowned organist Bruce Neswick. He also played flute, guitar and violin and had an interest in art, drawing, painting and writing poetry. He played ice hockey in an Ithaca, N.Y., league before coming to college.

Johnson attended a weekly Navigator’s Bible Study and was a devout Presbyterian.

Pastor Johnson said above all his son was “passionate.”

“Had he survived the fall from the building, I think somehow he would have gotten up, tattered and broken, and gone up again until that flag was firmly mounted atop that tower,” Johnson said. “It’s the way he was.”


*I'D LIKE TO COMMENT AND SAY, THIS MAN WAS DEFINATELY NOT FOLLOWING THE BIBLE, JUST READ MATTHEW 28:18-20 AND SEE WHO MAN SHOULD FOLLOW, THIS KID DEFINATLEY DID NOT FOLLOW THE PERSON REFFERED TO IN THAT SCRIPTURE. THE KID PROBABLY DID LIKE MOST AND FOLLOWED THE BIBLE FOR CONVENIENCE OF POWER. ANYWAYZ...IT'S FUNNY TO SEE HOW THEY EVEN WROTE THE SECOND STORY I PASTED HERE, WHEN THE FIRST ONE COMPLETE SHOWS THAT THE KID WAS FILLED WITH HATE.*
~Matthew 28: 18-20

I especially appreciate the father's comment at the end. What a hypocrite. At no point was it said it that article that what this young man was doing was wrong.
One would believe that he was a saint. Did he think about the wrong he was about to do to others ?