‘Disgusting’ Swastika Graffiti Appears At South Mountain Reservation

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County officials are calling a recent explosion of anti-Semitic graffiti near South Mountain Reservation a “disgusting” and “senseless” act that has no place in their community.

Captured in widely circulated photos being shared on social media, the expletive-laden, multi-colored graffiti covered a large portion of the pedestrian bridge that crosses South Orange Avenue at Essex County’s South Mountain Reservation.

The reservation is located in Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange, and borders South Orange.

Slogans in the graffiti included:

• “F*** Love”
• “Prom? [swastika symbols]”
• “They Lie”

South Orange Village President Sheena Collum stated that she’s received many inquiries about the graffiti and that workers leapt into action as soon as they heard about the situation.

“Our administration and public works departments coordinated immediately with the county, and within one hour, the Essex County Parks Department staff were out addressing the situation,” Collum said.

The Essex County Sheriff's Office has also opened an investigation into the incident, Collum wrote.

“I'm incredibly disheartened that even in our towns which are known for our inclusion and diversity are not immune to the hatred that exists but at the same time, I remain inspired by the reactions and actions of our clergy, community leaders, and residents to stand up in solidarity against any act of hatred or bigotry,” she emphasized. “Continue the activism and fight back with love.”

According to Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura, the incident “clearly supersedes mere mischievous behavior or graffiti and it cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“We have already increased our uniformed and plainclothes patrols in the area,” Fontoura stated. “We have also deployed security cameras to this location. Furthermore, we have contacted and reinforced our security measures with the many Jewish community groups where our Bomb Squad and K-9 Unit have already been deployed.”

The swastikas appeared just a few days after bomb threats were reported at more than a dozen Jewish centers throughout the nation, including the JCC in West Orange, the fifth such recent wave of threats.

• See related article: JCC Threats: More Than A Dozen Jewish Institutions Targeted

“I was disgusted to hear about this senseless act of anti-Semitism at the South Mountain Reservation Bridge,” U.S. Congressman Donald Payne Jr. stated Tuesday.

“The wave of anti-Semitic threats around the country, including in New Jersey, is chilling, and we as a community must stand together against this hate,” Payne said. “My deepest thanks and appreciation to the Essex County workers who swiftly removed the graffiti.”

"The hateful and pathetic act of perhaps one or two people does nothing to change the closeness and love known so well in our Livingston community at large," Livingston Mayor Shawn Klein wrote. "Acts like this help us to remember the importance of the love and inclusiveness that we walk around with every day. The recent spate of racism and anti-Semitism in this country are a panicked last gasp from a marginalized group of people who foolishly fall back on that ideology."

On Wednesday, a group of South Orange and Maplewood leaders issued the following statement, which can be seen in full here:

"Hatred and bigotry against any group and in any form are unacceptable. We, the elected leaders of South Orange and Maplewood, are united in speaking firmly and clearly against the rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism and misogyny in our country and within our communities. In our two towns we embrace our neighbors and are proud that people of different ethnic, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds and sexual orientation are living and thriving together.

"We deplore the recent acts of vandalism in South Mountain Reservation, which was primarily anti-Semitic but more far-reaching. Hate and hate symbols go against everything our two towns stand for. We will work with law enforcement officials so that those responsible are apprehended and punished.

"With broadening threats to Jewish institutions nationwide, growing assaults on mosques and Muslims, and attacks on civil rights gains made over the years, we call upon political leaders to not stand idly by but to speak out forcefully against all forms of bigotry, hatred and divisiveness. We cannot and will not be silent."

Local resident Rebecca Aig Konstandt posted photos of the graffiti on Facebook.

“Today's run did not end with a smile,” Konstandt wrote. “It ended with a few tears. This bridge is within south mountain reservation crossing over south orange avenue. This is not right. This is beyond stupid kids. These kinds of feelings come from the home. This is not acceptable.”

A “Candlelight Peace Patrol” at the bridge took place at the location of the graffiti, drawing dozens of participants, according to a Facebook events page.

“Today, our community was defaced by anti-Semitic graffiti,” the page stated. “We will stand up and say that we will not accept this.”

Photo via Facebook

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