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FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Police said a swastika was spray painted on a container in Framingham, near Bowditch Field.
It was reported as vandalism in the public police log on April 21 at 8:24 a.m. at 21 Walnut Street.
A swastika was spray painted at the West Natick Train Station in Natick last week, also.
“A swastika and other graffiti was spray painted on a construction container that was in an empty lot,” said Framingham Police spokesperson Lt. Rachel Mickens.
The word “peace” was also spray painted, said Lt. Mickens.
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“It is unknown how long the graffiti has been there,” said the Framingham Police spokesperson.
There is no suspect information at this time, said Lt., Mickens.
“I am saddened and disappointed to learn this morning that a swastika was painted on the side of a storage container near Bowditch Field. We don’t know how long it has been there, but the fact that someone chose to display such a hateful symbol in our community is very distressing. I have discussed the situation with Chief Lester Baker and he has assured me that his department is investigating the situation and we will do whatever is necessary to identify the perpetrator. Framingham is a welcoming community with a diverse population who stands firmly that there is No Place For Hate in our City. I urge anyone who has knowledge of this to notify the police department,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and First Lady Robin Kaye.
Framingham DPW Director Bob Lewis said the container was on City property, but it was a container owned by a contractor for the Union Avenue construction project.
“I am truly disappointed that someone would paint such a harmful symbol in our city Anti Semitism is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community Framingham is a very welcoming and diverse community that we all call homeland there is no lace for hate. Kindness is a choice and we all can do better and choose to be kind to one another,” said City Council Chair Phil Ottaviani.
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“It is deeply upsetting to learn that a swastika has been painted in such a public place in our community. It is a sobering reminder that Anti-Semitism is alive and well, even in places like Framingham, where we presume that we are safe,” said Temple Beth Am Cantor David Wolff. “Our Temple Beth Am community, and the wider Framingham community, condemn this act of hatred. We encourage everyone to stand up to Anti-Semitism, whenever they see or feel its presence.”
“I am sickened whenever I hear of these evil acts, and when it happens here in Framingham it is even more jarring. I really hope as a society we can soon get beyond having to way too often endure such hateful and hurtful incidents,” said City Councilor George P. King Jr.
“This is a definitive statement of hate and anti-semitism, and needs to be unanimously condemned and rejected,” said Adam Freudberg, District 4 School Committee Member. “What appears to be part of multiple regional incidents in one week is a troubling pattern which has again touched Framingham. Continuous support, anti-hate and anti-bias education, and bringing our community together is what we need to ingrain into our hearts and minds.”
The Anti Defamation League said anti-semitic hate crime was up more than 35% from 2021 to 2022.
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