Antisemitic graffiti was found under a bridge off Josiah Henson Parkway on a pedestrian tunnel near Tildenwood Drive in North Bethesda Sunday evening.
A swastika and the words “CLUB ARYAN EXCELLENT” were painted in large, bright orange letters on the stone wall on the side of the tunnel and were still visible Monday when a MoCo360 reporter visited the site. Jewish advocacy group - StopAntisemitism - shared the image of the vandalism to Twitter.
Bethesda, Maryland - antisemitic graffiti was found under a bridge off Josiah Henson Parkway on a pedestrian tunnel near Tildenwood Drive in North Bethesda Sunday evening.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) August 29, 2023
A swastika and the words “CLUB ARYAN EXCELLENT” were painted in large, bright orange letters on the stone… pic.twitter.com/10axlbVe4z
Second District police officers initially responded to the scene Sunday around 7:53 p.m. for a report of “hate-based vandalisms.” Police say there are no suspects in custody.
A police officer arrived at the scene Monday around 2:45 p.m., and told MoCo360 he was sent to survey the incident, take photos and then cover up the graffiti.
The neighborhood around the pedestrian tunnel has a large Jewish population and is within a mile of B’nai Israel Congregation, The Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, Bender JCC of Greater Washington and the Hebrew Home Of Greater Washington.
County Councilmember Kate Stewart (D-Dist. 4), whose district includes North Bethesda, strongly condemned the antisemitic graffiti on social media.
Stewart also said that residents should report similar incidents to Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000 as soon as they are seen.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.