Schools
Swastika Found In Montclair Middle School Bathroom
Montclair Superintendent: "I am writing to inform you about a deeply troubling antisemitic act which occurred at Glenfield Middle School."
MONTCLAIR, NJ — A swastika was recently found in a bathroom at a middle school in Montclair, prompting an investigation that involved the police, authorities say.
Montclair Superintendent Jonathan Ponds sent the school community a message on Friday about the “deeply troubling” incident.
“I am writing to inform you about a deeply troubling antisemitic act which occurred at Glenfield Middle School,” Ponds wrote. “It was reported to school staff that there was a swastika in a bathroom. We condemn all acts of antisemitism and all hate, and we are committed to addressing and eradicating it.”
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Ponds continued:
“A thorough investigation of the Glenfield incident was conducted, which included police involvement. We encourage open dialogue and want to be sure you were aware of this incident. Please know if your children would like to speak to a counselor regarding any incident or concern that troubles them, we have counselors who are ready to support them.”
It isn’t the first time that a swastika has been found in Montclair. Other recent incidents include graffiti discovered on the children’s playground at Edgemont Park, and swastikas drawn on a cafeteria table at the high school and a desk at another school on Chestnut Street. Read More: Montclair Isn’t Immune To ‘Symbols Of Hate,’ Mayor Says
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Swastikas aren’t the only controversial symbols associated with hate groups that have been spotted in Montclair. In 2020, stickers that promoted a white nationalist organization that has been labeled as a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center were found posted to light poles in Porter Park. Earlier that year, a witness found a "neo-Nazi" sticker that read "NJEHA.com Take Back Your Country" posted on the schedule board at the Mountain Avenue Train Station. The sticker promoted the same group that was seen on flyers around downtown Bloomfield.
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