Law enforcement officials are searching for anyone responsible for vandalism along the Greenbelt in Boise, Boise Police Department (BPD)
say on Twitter.
“We recognize the importance of this being the last Saturday of Hanukkah, and we are reaching out to Jewish leaders in our community to let them know that we will not be taking sides. such disgusting and disgusting behavior in our city,” BPD Director Ryan Lee said on the department’s Twitter page.
The graffiti includes anti-Semitic messages aimed at Jews, hate messages against minorities and symbols including the swastika, Lee said.
CNN branch KIVI. The swastika is the centerpiece of the Nazi flag and is
synonymous with anti-Semitism.
Police said the graffiti was quickly covered up by Boise Parks and Recreation workers.
“The anti-duplicate messages in the graffiti found along the Greenbelt have put a literal and figurative stain on our community. This will not be tolerated,” Boise said.
The aforementioned Mayor Lauren McLean
Facebook.
“Hate speech is deplorable. It is not who (we) as a city and is not part of our shared values. I invite all the good people of Boise to stand with me, as I stand with our Jewish neighbors, to counter this hatred.”
Idaho’s Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is the only Anne Frank memorial in the United States, according to
memorial site. The educational park features a bronze statue of Anne Frank as well as an amphitheater, quote wall, garden, and classroom.
Before this year’s Hanukkah holiday,
Anti-Defamation League launched
#ShineALight to raise awareness of anti-Semitism and how the community might react.
Hate Crimes in America
hit a 12-year high in 2020, with more than 7,700 criminal hate crimes reported to the FBI, according to the FBI
annual hate crime statistics report. According to FBI data, there were 683 anti-Semitic attacks last year, down from 963 in 2019.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the vandalism to call 208-377-6790 or CrimeStoppers: 208-343-COPS (2677) or leave advice via the “P3″ mobile app. Tips”.
CNN’s Joe Sutton contributed to this report.
