'Cowardly act of hate:' Swastika painted on Apex Town Hall campus building
For the second time in two days, law enforcement in central North Carolina are investigating vandalism involving a hate symbol being spray-painted in a public space.
On Saturday, Apex police found a swastika and the phrase 'Pedo Scum' spray-painted on part of the Apex Town Hall campus. The next day, on the first day of Hanukkah, a large swastika was found hanging over a highway in Moore County.
The hate symbol was sprayed overnight on the same building where Apex Pride was planning to host its first annual holiday celebration. Apex Pride had boosted security ahead of the event, which included Drag Queen Story Hour – a program that was canceled, then reinstated, this past summer after angry and threatening messages were communicated to town officials.
"Overnight the building where our event was to be held was vandalized, spray painted with hate speech and a swastika. A cowardly act of hate, no doubt meant to intimidate us," wrote Apex Pride on its Facebook page.
The swastika is often associated with the Nazi party, specifically with the horrors put upon the Jewish community during the Holocaust. However, there are records of members of the LGBTQIA+ community also being sent to concentration camps or being killed.
Apex police are trying to determine if the vandalism is connected to the Pride event. Police are reviewing camera footage and charges are expected.
Police say they did beef up security for the event, but ultimately said they had no protesting or any other issues.
"While details are limited about the incident, we will continue to be committed to ensuring Apex is a unified community in the stewardship of our small town character through cultivating relationships where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive. Hateful speech or violent acts against any individual will not be tolerated. Love and unity will continue to be our focus," said Apex Mayor Jacques K. Gilbert in a statement.
A swastika and message in Moore County
The vandalism in Apex is one of two hate symbols and messages to appear in a public space over the weekend.
A sign containing swastikas and the words "BRING IT ALL DOWN" and "1488" was found hanging over U.S. Highway 1 in Moore County.
Officials don't know whether this is connected to the vandalism that destroyed two substations in Moore County earlier this month, knocking out power for thousands.
Last week in Raleigh, someone hacked into the Enloe High School intercom system -- broadcasting the words "Heil Hitler" to everyone in the school.
Back in October, WRAL reported on an incident in north Raleigh where antisemitic flyers were discovered across neighborhoods.
The latest data from the Anti-Defamation League shows nearly 700 case increase in incidents deemed antisemitic from 2020 to 2021; 2021 was the highest year on record for documented reports of harassment, vandalism and violence against the Jewish community.
