Nazi banners hung from two Pittsburgh bridges
Neither sign contained a direct threat toward a specific group or individual. No arrests have been made.
Pittsburgh police are investigating two separate instances of homemade signs displaying swastikas hung from local bridges.
Police were alerted on the morning of Sept. 28 about handwritten antisemitic messages and Nazi symbols on banners or bedsheets that were hung on both the West End Bridge at the intersection of Route 65 and the Tenth Street Bridge. Both signs were removed, photographed and secured as evidence.
Neither sign contained a direct threat toward a specific group or individual. No arrests have been made.
Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh Community Security Director Shawn Brokos said the signs do not appear to be related to the incident in Oakland on Sept. 27, when a University of Pittsburgh Jewish student was attacked by several men.
The antisemitic banners, Brokos said, aren’t being investigated as a hate crime since there was no targeted threat, but police are interested in finding the people responsible for several reasons.
“It’s good for intelligence purposes,” she said. “It’s good for law enforcement to be aware of the individuals who are conducting this type of activity. It’s good situational awareness. Who are these individuals affiliated with and what is their motivation?”
And while there is no apparent connection between the banners and the recent attack in Oakland, or Israel’s war with Hamas and Hezbollah, Brokos said the incident comes as Pittsburgh is in a heightened threat environment, with both the High Holidays and the anniversary of Oct. 7 approaching.
In fact, several anti-Israel protests and marches have been planned in the days leading up to the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, including an International Day of Action on Oct. 5, and a “Community Vigil to honor our martyrs” on Oct. 7, promoted on social media by Jewish Voice for Peace Pittsburgh.
Brokos said she recently met with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and local security officials.
“I can unequivocally tell you that we have tremendous support from our law enforcement, public safety officials and community leaders,” she said. “Everyone is in tune to the heightened threats that the Jewish community faces.”
Even with the threats, Brokos said, the city is prepared to keep the community safe and secure.
Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Cara Cruz urged anyone with video footage of either incident to call Pittsburgh police headquarters at (412) 323-7800. PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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