Four MCPS Schools Vandalized with Politically-Charged Graffiti, Antisemitic Iconography (Including Swastikas), and Some Anti-LGBTQ+ Language

August 19, 2024 – 5:32pm. Updated 8/19/24 at 10pm to include article by MCM and image/quotes.

Today 4 MCPS Schools were vandalized with graffiti that included “politically-charged graffiti, antisemitic iconography (including swastikas), and, in some instances, anti-LGBTQ+ language” according to a letter from MCPS.

This occurred just a week after vulgar anti-semitic graffiti was found outside Bethesda Elementary School during the popular weekly Farmer’s market and a Bethesda synagogue sign was vandalized nearby and a week before school starts. Staff are already in the building.

According to Montgomery Community Media writer Suzanne Pollock, the schools vandalized were “Churchill and Wootton High Schools and Fallsmead and Strathmore Elementary Schools.”

Graffiti was found at 4 schools Monday. Police said the "bias-related vandalism" occurred at Churchill and Wootton High Schools and Fallsmead and Strathmore Elementary Schools. Police are investigating. A JCRC spokesperson called it "very disturbing." @mymcmedia @JCRCgw @MCPS

— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) August 19, 2024

MCPS Email

The MCPS email continued:

“Principals are reaching out to their communities to report these instances and to provide the supportive resources necessary to address the harm and anxiety these actions may have caused. The district has reported these instances to the police and will fully cooperate with any investigative needs of our partner police agencies.

We are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive environment where all students, staff, and caregivers feel safe, valued, seen, heard and have a sense of belonging. We firmly denounce divisive actions that perpetuate hate, inequality, and injustice against any person, family, or community. We must unite to recognize and embrace our differences and not let them divide us.”

Superintendent Dr. Taylor posted a version of the email as well to X/Twitter.

MCPS Historical Anti-Semitism

While this comes amidst a backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, we previously published a report showing that anti-semitism has been rising as a top issue in MCPS since before October 7, 2023 and that the instances of hate/bias have continued to rise in Montgomery County schools since then.

MyMCM Article

MyMCM put out their piece on this today and included images of some of the vandalism as well as quotes from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington (JCRC).

In one image, the word “Hitler” is written alongside a swastika.

Another image shown states “Israel Bombs Schools.”

Added quotes from Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the JCRC inlcuded how these schools being targeted are in some of the most Jewish areas of the county:

She called it “no accident that the perpetrators of these incidents have defaced schools that are located in neighborhoods with high concentrations of Jewish residents and have significant numbers of Jewish students and faculty members. These schools are also blocks away from multiple synagogues. This pattern of behavior — in impact and almost certainly in design — targets Montgomery County’s Jews. In doing so, it causes tremendous harm not only to Israelis and Jews, but to our entire shared community. We are confident that people of goodwill across all backgrounds and faiths will see these acts for what they are: hateful words designed to tear our communities apart rather than bring them together.”

From Article: https://www.mymcmedia.org/district-denounces-antisemitic-anti-lgbtq-vandalism-found-at-4-schools-monday/

Local Politicians Responses

We will just post local politicians responses below. Send us a message or email us if we missed any.

Enough of this. Leave our communities alone. The nonstop antisemitism and hatred need to stop now. https://t.co/LcvVICqw2y

— Joe Vogel (@JoeVogel_) August 20, 2024

All staff and students deserve to feel safety and belonging in our schools. This disgusting antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti are an effort to disrupt that, to instead manufacture division and fear. This county will stand firm against such efforts.https://t.co/OxtDmlnKr4

— Councilmember Kristin Mink (@CMKristinMink) August 20, 2024

More to Come

We will update this story as more official sources and statements come in.

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