Swastikas Found on Several Homes in San Pedro

A slew of swastikas were found on around a dozen homes and buildings in San Pedro on Sept. 2.

Siamak Kordestani, American Jewish Committee Los Angeles Regional Office Assistant Director, tweeted out photos of some of the swastikas:

Despicable.

Swastikas were painted on over a dozen homes in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/jSGLqRFGgh

— Sia Kordestani (@SiaKordestani) September 7, 2019

Police Office Paul Winter told the Daily Breeze newspaper that the vandalism spanned from “Grand Avenue to Pacific Avenue, and from 12th Street to 19th Street.” He also said that the police are looking for a 6’2” white male as a suspect and that they are investigating the matter as a hate crime.

Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council President Doug Epperhart told the Daily Breeze that he had never seen such graffiti before in his 27 years living in San Pedro, pointing out that most graffiti in the area is “gang-related.” 

Temple Beth El Rabbi Cassi Kail told the Daily Breeze, “The man who did this chose to invoke something, provoking fear and from a place of hatred. Even if it wasn’t specifically against the Jewish community, it’s against all people who value diversity and respect for another.”

Community activist Lion Lyons told Spectrum News that he is going to organize a community meeting to address the matter.

“This community, as you can tell, we’re very diverse and we don’t have time for that,” Lyons told CBS Los Angeles. “First off, we want to educate our youth and seeing that this doesn’t happen and at the same time, let them know that everyone’s welcoming here.”

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted, “Sickening display of #antiSemitism in California where swastikas were found painted onto over a dozen houses. Glad to see the community has already come together to take action and seek justice. @LA_ADL is working with law enforcement to assist in any way.”

Sickening display of #antiSemitism in California where swastikas were found painted onto over a dozen houses. Glad to see the community has already come together to take action and seek justice. @LA_ADL is working with law enforcement to assist in any way.https://t.co/8UaT0Pl6CV

— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) September 8, 2019