In Warwick, Rhode Island, the Temple Am David synagogue was vandalized by hate mongers putting graffiti including a backwards swastika and racial slurs on the synagogue. A member of Temple Am David, Paula Oliveri, told news media that the synagogue works with the community and with Holocaust survivors. The police are reviewing surveillance footage from the synagogue’s cameras.
If you have information regarding those responsible, you are urged to contact the Warwick Police Department: Phone Number: (401) 468-4200, Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 732-8477(732-TIPS).
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June 7, 2010 update: Two arrested in Synagogue vandalism
— WPRI reports that Ryan N. Johnson and juvenile arrested for swastika and racial slur vandalism at Temple Am David
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The Associated Press reports that “Police Chief Stephen McCartney says if the vandalism is determined to be a hate crime, the perpetrator could face stiffer penalties. State Jewish leaders say the vandalism may have been sparked by the Israeli commando raid on a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip that left nine people dead.”
NBC 10 News asked Temple Am David Cantor Richard Perlman if the attacks may be linked to Gaza, and he told the NBC 10 News “I certainly hope that his has nothing at all to do with that. However, one would be silly to believe that that may not be a possibility. What’s going on in the Gaza is a terrible thing.”
(Note: From our experience in covering Nazi hate crime, it would appear that most committed Nazis involved in hate crimes usually know how to draw the Nazi swastika correctly, rather than “backwards,” suggesting that perhaps the vandal was someone other than a Nazi.)
NBC Channel 10 News Video Report
— WPRI: “Synagogue vandalized with hate symbols – Swastika, racial slur spray-painted on temple”
— Associated Press: “Racist graffiti found on Warwick synagogue”
— Providence Journal: Swastika, racial slur spray-painted on exterior of Warwick synagogue
— Providence Channel 10 News: Swastika spray-painted on temple
Warwick police are investigating the spray-painting of a swastika and part of a racial slur on the exterior of Temple Am David in Warwick, Rhode Island. Notably, the swastika is "backwards" from a Nazi swastika. (Photo: The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson)