A local synagogue is hosting an event Saturday to address a recent incident at Anderson High School, where offensive, racist words and symbols were painted across several student parking spots. Congregation Agudas Achim hosted the gathering on Saturday, in the wake of the graffiti at Anderson.
In a letter sent to parents, Principal Sammi Harrison said the graffiti was painted on five student parking spots and a storage shed. The graffiti pictured depicted antisemitic symbols, racist words and offensive imagery.
“AISD maintenance and our custodians responded quickly to remove the markings,” Harrison said in the letter. “AISD police and Anderson administration continue working to identify the individuals involved.”
Austin City Council Members Alison Alter and Greg Casar weighed in on the graffiti online as well.
Yesterday students at Anderson High School encountered anti-semitic, homophobic, and racist graffiti when arriving at school. This hate is unacceptable in our community. We must all speak out against it. [I am not posting a photo because I don't want to circulate hate.] #NoHate
— Council Member Alison Alter (@ALTERforATX) October 23, 2021
Congregation Agudas Achim said it hosted high school students to join the congregation at 12 p.m. for a “supportive, uplifting presence together.” Discussion followed the lunch.
“I think the Anderson community has felt this shock beyond just the students,” said student Ford McCracken. “We have a large Jewish population in the neighborhood and to see something this obscene plastered on school property is shocking and insulting. After an act of vandalism similar to this has now happened for the 4th year in a row at Anderson, I encourage the school to implement better security measures in the tennis court/parking lot area.”
“These acts of hate will not be tolerated,” Harrison said.
AISD said all markings have been covered since then. Austin police are investigating.