Soon before President Trump’s final rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan took place, an 125-year old Jewish cemetery in the city was vandalized in graffiti spelling out “Trump” and “MAGA”; Trump’s infamous campaign slogan.
What We Know:
- Several tombstones in a cemetery belonging to Congregation Ahavas Israel were spray painted to read “Trump” and “MAGA”, only a few days before the President’s rally in Michigan; a crucial swing state in the election. The vandalism was discovered on Monday and is said to have occurred over Halloween weekend, according to Rabbi David Krishef.
- This devastation comes nearly over a year after another local synagogue was vandalized by neo-nazi activists with undoubtedly anti-semitic intentions. However, both Rabbi Krishef and Carolyn Normandin, the leader of the local Anti-Defamation League, are not quick to label this vandalism as an anti-semitic hate crime. “It was definitely vandalism and it was definitely political in nature but we have no reason to call this straight up anti-Semitism because there were no anti-Semitic symbols on the gravestones that were vandalized,” said Normandin to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
- On the other hand, the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus responded stating that this act was intended to threaten Jewish voters and deter them from voting. The local chapter of the American-Islamic Relations council also reported the vandalism to federal authorities as a hate crime and is offering a monetary reward to those with critical evidence relating to the case.
- This incident is among other recent demonstrations by right-wing groups in Michigan; tho most notable being the plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer just over a month ago. If investigations determine this crime was committed with anti-semitic intentions, it will be one of over 2,100 crimes of this nature to occur since last year; the highest recorded in 26 years.
We can expect to see more extreme political demonstrations as the election approaches, and perhaps even after it passes, especially in key swing states with large cities.
