The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) yesterday condemned an act of vandalism where a swastika was spray-painted onto the back of a vehicle in Takoma Park, and welcomed a hate crime investigation by local authorities into the incident.
The incident comes after an African-American artist’s murals were vandalized earlier this month at the Takoma Park Gazebo. In a video that circulated widely on social media, a woman is seen damaging community picnic tables painted by Trap Bob, a Washington, D.C.-based artist.
“Anti-Semitism, anti-Black racism, and the white supremacist ideologies that fuel these types of hate incidents have no place in a civilized society,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “No one has the right to threaten, harass, or intimidate others. We condemn these crimes and urge anyone with information to contact local authorities.”
Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart last week released a statement on the incidents. “As we begin 2021, I would like us as a community to recommit ourselves to anti-racist work and reaffirm our commitment to building a welcoming, inclusive community that celebrates diversity and strives for equity and respect for all. We live in a community of people with a great deal of expertise, and we welcome suggestions on concrete steps we can take to advance this work in our City in the weeks and months ahead.”
“Anti-Semitism, anti-Black racism and the white supremacist ideologies that fuel these types of hate incidents have no place in a civilized society,”- CAIR’s Director in Maryland Zainab Chaudry
We urge anyone with information to contact local authoritieshttps://t.co/v1ihb9G9lD
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) December 28, 2020
Graphic: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)