Maryland: Disturbing anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed at school entrance
Just days after the entire school participated in a lesson against anti-Semitism and the recent alarming rise, harsh words were discovered on the school’s entrance sign. The day before, a swastika was found in a nearby area
Graffiti with the words “Jews Unwanted” has been spray-painted at the entrance to a high school in Maryland, just days after the entire school attended a lesson on anti-Semitism.
Erasing the anti-Semitic graffiti (photo from Twitter)
The chilling words were spray-painted Saturday on the school’s sign outside Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, an area near Washington, D.C.
Montgomery Police Chief Marcus Jones said crews responded to the call just after 8:00 a.m. and immediately began an investigation, which is being coordinated with the Anti-Defamation League.
“Acts of hate and bigotry are on the rise across the state and in Montgomery County. Because of this, officers are actively increasing patrols to include community centers, schools and places of worship throughout the county,” Marcus wrote in a written statement, adding that detectives are looking for a potential suspect, but still No one was arrested.
The principal of the school, Robert David, sent a letter to the parents and school staff, asking anyone who has information about the incident and its circumstances to come forward and tell the relevant authorities. So, he added: “This behavior is abhorrent, deeply offensive, and we will not tolerate it at Walt Whitman High School.”
David said that last Wednesday the school held a “class on dealing with anti-Semitism”, and promised that the principals and teachers would use Saturday’s incident as an opportunity to continue education around the issue.
“While we are deeply troubled and disappointed by what occurred, it will not deter us from our collective mission to end anti-Semitism and intolerance, and build a safe and inclusive community where all students can thrive,” he added.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, who represents the district, wrote in a post on Twitter that he was “sickened and appalled” by the anti-Semitic vandalism that was discovered. “I send love and solidarity to the students, families, faculty and Whitman staff. Hate will not defeat us.”
County Council President Evan Glass said local police are investigating another case of anti-Semitic Nazi graffiti that was discovered the day before, about four miles from the school, when a swastika was spray-painted in Montgomery Mall.
A little over a month ago, he sprayed “No mercy for the Jews” next to three figures hanging from a rope and a swastika, on a path in the same area.
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