Antisemitic, anti-Black graffiti found in Riverfront Park
Hate graffiti found a day after individuals waving Nazi flags were seen on Liberty Bridge
Incidents of antisemitic and anti-Black graffiti were discovered along the North Shore’s Riverfront Park near the 10th Street Bypass.
Graffiti, including swastikas, the n word, numeric codes used by white supremacists, “Heil Hitler” and “Free Gaza,” was painted on several murals and flyers along the walkway.
In a press release issued Dec. 9, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh President and CEO Jeffrey Finkelstein said the organization condemned the act, meant to divide the community and spread fear.
“The hateful messages deface not only Riverfront Park but also the values we hold dear as Pittsburghers,” Finkelstein said. “We are committed to fostering understanding and combatting all forms of bigotry. Hate speech, whether it targets the Black community, the Jewish community, or any other group, is an attack on all of us. We stand united against these acts of division and intimidation.”
Shawn Brokos, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh community security director, said the organization is working with law enforcement to identify who painted the graffiti.
“We’re grateful to the people who have reported this to us and are working to connect the dots and find out who’s behind this,” she said.
The graffiti was found a day after photos appeared online of apparent white supremacists holding Nazi flags on the Liberty Bridge over the weekend.
Brokos urged anyone with information about this or other hate crimes or discriminatory acts to report them to local authorities and to file an incident report at jewishpgh.org/form/incident-report. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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