Anti-Semitic Graffiti Found in NY Park

Seven instances of anti-Semitic graffiti, which include swastikas were discovered on poles in a park along the north shore of Long Island, New York on the morning of August 8.

The swastikas were drawn in purple marker on myriad poles in a picnic area of Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay. The police believe the graffiti occurred sometime between August 7 and 8, according to the Nassau Daily Voice.

Cleaning up #hate here in Oyster Bay, at a park named for Theodore Roosevelt. At least 7 swastikas and anti-Semitic symbols scrawled in a picnic pavilion right near the town summer camp. Disgusting. Police checking surveillance. #antisemitism #longisland #nassaucounty #hatecrime pic.twitter.com/hR06gNVmXc

— Stacey Sager (@staceysager7) August 8, 2019

The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) New York and New Jersey chapter tweeted, “Disturbed of reports that a picnic spot in Oyster Bay was allegedly vandalized by anti-Semitic graffiti. Reaching out to @NassauCountyPD to find out more.”

Disturbed of reports that a picnic spot in Oyster Bay was allegedly vandalized by anti-Semitic graffiti. Reaching out to @NassauCountyPD to find out more. https://t.co/EzpWAq2rDh

— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) August 8, 2019

A swastika was previously drawn on a bathroom wall in the same park in 2017.

ADL New York and New Jersey Regional Director Evan Bernstein told the Journal in a May phone interview there has been a “huge spike” in anti-Semitic incidents in New York since the fourth quarter of 2018, which he said was “incredibly concerning.”