Swastikas, ‘white power’ graffiti daubed at Phoenix school
City's mayor vows zero tolerance for hate; Jewish Federation head says act 'in no way represents our larger community'
Graffiti including swastikas and the words “white power” were discovered on the outside walls of an auditorium at a Phoenix, Arizona high school over the weekend.
The vandalism at Pinnacle High is being investigated by the police bias crime unit, the Arizona Jewish News reported.
“No place for hate in Phoenix,” the city’s mayor, Greg Stanton, tweeted, after first tweeting that “Chief Williams briefed me on racist & anti-Semitic graffiti at Pinnacle High. Police will need the public’s help to catch the offenders.”
The Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix called the discovery “terrible and upsetting.”
“This is a terrible and upsetting act and why Federation remains vigilant in the face of persecution and dedicated to building strong, vibrant Jewish communities,” read a statement signed by Executive Director Marty Haberer.
“Our Jewish community is strong and will always speak out against anti-Semitism and hate of any kind. We know the majority of the non-Jewish community feels the same way and that this act in no way represents our larger community.”
Earlier this month, a billboard appeared in Phoenix, depicting US President Donald Trump alongside mushroom clouds and dollar signs that resembled Nazi swastikas.
The billboard’s designer, Karen Fiorito, explained that the idea for its establishment came from deep frustration with the current US administration.