Members of the Bloomfield and Squirrel Hill neighborhoods awoke to another instance of antisemitism on Monday morning. Reports indicated that antisemitic stickers were plastered to multiple utility poles in Squirrel Hill and flyers were posted around the Bloomfield neighborhood.
In a statement denouncing the proliferation of antisemitic materials in her district, City Councilperson Barb Warwick said the Jewish Federation and Police have gathered over 20 reports of hateful graffiti with more investigations underway.
Statement from Councilperson Warwick on anti-Jewish stickers posted in Squirrel Hill's business district. If you find postings promoting hate of any kind, report them immediately by calling 9-1-1 and via Pittsburgh's online 311 system: https://t.co/vX9u4hXSNf pic.twitter.com/RCyAXKDa72
— City Councilperson Barb Warwick (@PghDistrict5) November 18, 2024
According to Shawn Brokos, the director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the messages were not just antisemitic, but also aimed at other minority groups as well.
“Very provocative type messages, very provocative, antisemitic, also directed at the Black community and minority communities. It’s done by a known white supremacy organization,” said Brokos. One sticker bears an image of Adolf Hitler with the message “Next time no more Mr. Nice Guy,” while another shows a swastika and the words “Defilement of the blood destroys our race,” Brokos said.
Unfortunately for the city’s Jewish community, this is the latest in a long string of antisemitic events to hit Pittsburgh this year. Just last month a Tree of Life Synagogue memorial plaque was stolen from Taylor Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill. Before that in September, a man was arrested after attacking Jewish students on Pitt’s campus, which came shortly after antisemitic graffiti was sprayed on the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh in July.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is asking for anyone who sees more hateful and antisemitic graffiti to report it to the police and fill out an incident report with their security team here.
