CHATTANOOGA, TN – SEPTEMBER 30: A competitor runs across the Walnut Street Bridge during the Little Debbie IRONMAN Chattanooga Presented By: McKee A Family Bakeryon September 30, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images for IRONMAN) A slew of swastikas were found on a Tennessee bridge as well as portions of downtown Chattanooga’s art district on Sept. 13.
Mayor Andy Berke announced on Twitter that day that the swastikas were found in parts of the Bluff View Art District as well as on the Walnut Street Bridge, which connects North Chattanooga with downtown Chattanooga.
“While we do not know the intent of those who perpetrated this act, we know that the end result is residents feeling less comfortable in their home,” Berke tweeted. “Our city is resolved to condemn anyone who seeks to intimidate or foment violence against any ethnic or religious group.”
He added that the city will remove the graffiti.
“Our entire community will continue to work, day after day, year after year, to make it clear that these kinds of destructive acts and attitudes have no place here,” the Chattanooga mayor added.
While we do not know the intent of those who perpetrated this act, we know that the end result if residents feeling less comfortable in their home. Our city is resolved to condemn anyone who seeks to intimidate or foment violence against any ethnic or religious group. 2/3
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) September 13, 2020
Our Public Works crews will be working this Sunday to remove these symbols of hate from our bridges and walls. Our entire community will continue to work, day after day, year after year, to make it clear that these kinds of destructive acts and attitudes have no place here. 3/3
— Andy Berke (@AndyBerke) September 13, 2020
Local Jewish groups condemned the graffiti.
“It’s a surreal feeling to see acts of antisemitism in my hometown,” Michael Dzik, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, said in a statement. “I take this and any act of anti-Semitism and all forms of hate very seriously. I have always known that the Nazi swastika and white supremacy go hand in hand.
“Although unsettling and disturbing, this only gives the Jewish community more resolve to continue fighting against hate. Additionally, we will continue building bridges of friendship with all peoples and all communities. I am confident that the Jewish community does not stand alone in this effort to eliminate antisemitism and all forms of hate; we are stronger together.”
Austin Center, the chair of the Jewish Community Relations Committee, similarly said in a statement that the swastika graffiti “made me sick to my stomach. We, as a Jewish community, spoke out when the Rock on University of Tennessee’s campus was painted with Anti-Semitic remarks. We spoke out when Nashville’s Holocaust Memorial was desecrated. And today, in my hometown, we speak out. Our history is built on overcoming the odds and working to better our community.
“As we condemn these acts of hate, let us each strive to teach others acts of kindness and respect.”
A spokesman for the Chattanooga Police Department told the local NBC affiliate WRCB that the police will have to investigate to see if the vandalism was a hate crime; he added that the police are checking nearby camera footage to see if they can identify who was responsible for the vandalism.
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