200 Antisemitic Flyers Found Around Pasadena: Spokesperson

PASADENA, CA —A spokesman for the city of Pasadena confirmed that approximately 200 flyers containing antisemitic rhetoric about the coronavirus pandemic were distributed in the city early Sunday morning. The Pasadena Police Department said it is conducting an investigation.

According to Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian, the flyers were distributed between midnight and 4 a.m. near Washington Boulevard and Mentor Avenue, Catalina Avenue, Wilson Avenue and Mar Vista Avenue. Derderian said Pasadena police were first alerted to the flyers at around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

The flyers, which also were reported in Beverly Hills, were found in plastic bags weighed down by pebbles, which Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Burgess said made it likely the items were thrown from cars, according to the L.A. Times.

Photos of the flyers published on PasadenaNow.com, show a sheet of paper with the heading: "Every Single Aspect Of The COVID Agenda is Jewish," and listing names of several federal health and corporate officials who are said to be Jewish.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo released a statement condemning the flyers.

"The Pasadena City Council stands united in our zero-tolerance position against all forms of hate speech, which has no place in our city," Gordo said. "The distribution of (anti-Semitic) fliers in Pasadena and other southern California communities over the weekend is abhorrent and totally goes against the values of our city and its residents. Our thoughts are with our residents and all those hurt by these disgusting acts. We know Pasadena residents—of all faiths—will stand together and speak out against hatred in all forms."

Late last month, Beverly Hills police increased patrols in that city after antisemitic flyers were posted in front yards on the first day of Hanukkah.

Police said those flyers contained "propaganda-style hate speech related to the COVID pandemic and the Jewish people."

After this most recent incident, Jason Moss, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, wrote that he was appalled by the flyers, according to the Pasadena Star-News.

"To blame the Jewish community not only for the spread of COVID and the institution of safety protocols and measures to help our country confront a worldwide pandemic that is affecting everyone is abhorrent," Moss wrote. "In addition, to promote a long-standing belief that there is a worldwide Jewish conspiracy is repulsive."

Derderian, the Pasadena spokesperson, has asked any resident or witness who may have information related to the flyers or who may have video evidence through Ring or other private security cameras or devices to call the police department at 626-744-4241.