Residents in a Weston neighborhood are seeking answers after racist and antisemitic graffiti was spray painted in the area for the second time in less than a month.
State Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Democrat whose district includes the Weston Hills neighborhood where the graffiti was found, posted pictures on social media showing the disturbing writings.
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A swastika was spray painted on a speed limit sign as well as a sign into the neighborhood and an electrical box.
"It’s horrific. People should know better in this day and age”, one resident said.
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Offensive terms for the Black community and the Jewish community were also spray painted.
"This hatred must be called out forcefully. It is incumbent on all of Florida’s leaders to unequivocally condemn this dangerous rhetoric," U.S. Rep Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a statement released Sunday. "Only when we unite to vocally condemn the perpetrators of these hateful acts, can all Americans truly love, learn and worship freely and without fear.”
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The incident comes after graffiti was found on a sidewalk in the same neighborhood during the Yom Kippur holiday on October 5.
Weston Mayor Margaret Brown said the graffiti was found near Hunter's Pointe during the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
"No person, no matter their religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background, should ever wake up to see their community desecrated," Brown said in a statement on social media. "Antisemitism in any form is not welcome here."
Neighbors in Weston worry they’ll wake up Monday and find more messages of hate speech and prejudice. This is why the city is holding a press conference on Monday to address concerns and the investigation.
“Antisemitic and racist intimidation will not be tolerated in our community. Such acts constitute a hate crime and are a reminder of a dark period in history when both Blacks and Jews were viciously assaulted and murdered without just cause," Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said.
The Broward Sheriff's Office is investigating both incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
It comes after the University of Florida and University of Georgia are condemning antisemitic messages that were displayed after their game Saturday in Jacksonville.
NBC affiliate WTLV-TV reports a projection was displayed outside TIAA Bank Field while social media posts showed the message being displayed on the stadium and on another building in the city.
Both schools issued a joint statement denouncing the speech.
"The University of Florida and the University of Georgia together denounce these and all acts of antisemitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance," the statement said in part. "We are proud to be home to strong and thriving Jewish communities at UGA and UF, and we stand together against hate."
