Antisemitic flyers distributed in local neighborhoods
“This kind of hate has no place in our neighborhoods,” said Laura Cherner, director of the Federation’s community relations council.
Antisemitic flyers were distributed in several local neighborhoods during daylight hours on May 18.
The flyers, attributed to the Goyim Defense League, were enclosed in plastic bags weighted down with corn kernels.
The GDL “is a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism,” according to the Anti-Defamation League. “The group includes five or six primary organizers/public figures, dozens of supporters and thousands of online followers.”
Propaganda titled “The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion: The Jew’s Plan for World Domination” and “Every single aspect of the Jewish Talmud is Satanic” was left at residences in Squirrel Hill, Shadyside and Peters Township.
Witnesses reported seeing several people in a gold SUV or tan Dodge Durango with their windows open yelling, “Oy vey,” and throwing the bags, according to Shawn Brokos, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh’s community security director.
The GDL, she said, is known by law enforcement but typically performs this type of flyer distribution under the cover of night.
“What was surprising,” she said, “was how blatant they were this time. It’s almost like they were looking for attention.”
A positive aspect to the daylight timing of the acts, Brokos said, was the abundance of surveillance cameras that captured the perpetrators as well as their vehicle.
“We’ve shared those with law enforcement who are working very diligently on this,” she said.
Pittsburgh police, Brokos said, have made investigating the flyers a top priority.
The flyers drew immediate condemnation.
Mayor Ed Gainey called the missives “reprehensible” and said they have no place in Pittsburgh.
“We will not stand for such hateful acts meant to intimidate our neighbor,” he wrote on Facebook.
Gainey wrote that his office was working with the Federation and noted that the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police was investigating the flyers along with the FBI.
His Democratic primary challenger, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, posted a message on Facebook, as well.
“Despicable antisemitic acts like those taking place in Squirrel Hill today have no place in our city,” O’Connor wrote.
State Rep. Abigail Salisbury wrote that the flyers were intended to “intimidate and terrorize.”
The Rev. Canon Natalie Hall of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer noted that residents near her church received the flyers.
“Our congregation will not abide these false accusations about and threats against our Jewish neighbors,” she wrote. “We stand as friends, willing to protect those who are threatened.”
The Federation condemned the flyers in a statement posted to its website and on social media.
“This kind of hate has no place in our neighborhoods,” said Laura Cherner, director of the Federation’s community relations council. “Our community is strong, united and we will stand together to oppose these vile actions.”
Brokos urged anyone with information about the incident, including videos from home cameras, to call 911 and report it to the Federation. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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