Antisemitic Graffiti Found at SD Schools

Antisemitic and homophobic graffiti was found at a high school and middle school in Chula Vista on October 31.

The San Diego Union-Tribune and NBC San Diego reported that Bonita Vista High School and Bonita Vista Middle School were both vandalized with black, teal and yellow graffiti; a picture showed that the graffiti featured a swastika as well as the words “Mr. Hitler” and “Jews,” with the latter being crossed out with an “X.” A window was also broken at the high school.

OUTRAGEOUS – a San Diego area High School and Middle School were vandalized with the word “Jews” crossed out with an X, a reference to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, and a swastika.

The incident is being investigated as a hate crime. https://t.co/9jDsQmOYNT pic.twitter.com/TcVlTuLOov

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) November 4, 2021

The graffiti has since been removed and is believed to cost the high school $1,600 and $1,000 for the middle school. Police believe the two incidents are related and are investigating them as a hate crime.

“This morning I stood in solidarity with [Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas], Councilmember [Steve Padilla], [Sweetwater Union High School District] & community organizations to denounce antisemitic and homophobic vandalism that occurred in South Bay schools this past weekend,” San Diego County Vice Chair Nora Vargas tweeted. “Hate has no place in our community.”

This morning I stood in solidarity with @MayorMarySalas, Councilmember @StevePadillaCV, @SUHSD & community organizations to denounce antisemitic and homophobic vandalism that occurred in South Bay schools this past weekend. Hate has no place in our community. #NotOnMyWatch pic.twitter.com/ohFY4XPEc2

— Supervisor Nora Vargas (@SupNoraVargas) November 4, 2021

[/speaker-mute] Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Tammy Gillies condemned the graffiti in a statement and praised the police, Padilla and the city of Chula Vista for their response to the graffiti. “Much like the distribution of extremist propaganda, hate-filled graffiti seeks to intimidate and influence a vulnerable populace, in this case students––which by extension, hurts the community and inflicts wounds on the diversity and inclusiveness educational institutions seek to achieve.”

On Monday 11/1, vile and hateful graffiti was found tagged at two @SUHSD schools.

In a time of rising antisemitism, we are grateful to Chula Vista Councilmember @StevePadillaCV and @thinkchulavista for their strong response to this incident.

See our full statement below: pic.twitter.com/FQhogrEeHG

— ADL San Diego (@ADL_SD) November 4, 2021