'Stunningly upsetting.' Rabbi speaks out after finding anti-Semitic graffiti on Raleigh bridge
Anti-Semitic graffiti of two swastikas spray painted on a pedestrian bridge above Interstate 540 prompted a Raleigh rabbi to condemn the act he spotted in his own neighborhood.
Posted — UpdatedBeth Meyer Synagogue Rabbi Eric Solomon said it was a disturbing sight to see while running on the bridge.
"[The] swastika sign for Jewish people, and as an American as well, is stunningly upsetting. It shakes my soul and I couldn't believe it's there," said Solomon.
Solomon took photos of the graffiti and posted them to social media.
"I put it on social media to see if there's anyone who'd possibly know or say anything," he said. "Either someone doesn't understand the symbol and they did this because they don't understand, or they do understand - which is even more upsetting - and they did that to send some kind of message."
Solomon said the symbol invokes a lot of pain for him, and others within the Jewish community.
"This symbol is a sign of wanting to not only hate others sadly, but also eliminate them. This is not what America stands for. We will not tolerate it and I ask you to turn into your heart and find a way to love," said Solomon.
The Anti-Defamation League is a non—profit organization aimed at fighting acts of antisemitism. ADL tracks hate, extremist and antisemitic incidents around the nation.
In 2021, the Anti- Defamation League recorded 68 reported incidents in North Carolina. The year before that there were 208 incidents and about 32 incidents in 2019.
"I can't stand idly by," said Solomon. "That's what the Torah teaches, and my people have lived through the experience. The swastika symbol is really an attack on my people and six million of my brother and sisters."
Most of what was reported involved white supremacist propaganda and anti-Semitic incidents.
As Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches this Thursday, Solomon's encouraging others to speak out against these acts of hate.
"It's a reminder that education is key. We say, 'Never again.' We mean never again to anyone," said Solomon.
It's an effort he says includes explaining to people about why the swastika is deemed offensive.
"Things start with symbols. They start with language and sadly can lead to violence," he said.
The Raleigh Police Department and Wake County Sheriff's Office did not say if they would be treating the graffiti has a hate crime.
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