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NYC Attacker Jailed for Assaulting Jewish Man

A hateful man accused of slugging a Jewish man wearing an Israeli military hoodie on a Brooklyn street struck a plea deal in the antisemitic attack, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Suleiman Othman, 28, was accused of punching Blake Zavadsky twice and tossing an iced coffee on him — simply because Zavadsky was wearing an Israel Defense Forces sweatshirt — on Dec. 26, 2021, in Bay Ridge.

Othman, of Staten Island, pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree assault as a hate crime in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Monday.

Under the terms of a plea deal, Othman is slated to receive a 60-day jail term and three years’ probation at his Sept. 20 sentencing, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. NGO StopAntisemitism shared the news on Twitter.

The victim had been standing outside a Foot Locker in Bay Ridge wearing a green hoodie with a yellow IDF emblem when Othman came up to him and said, “Why do you support those dirty Jews?,” prosecutors said.

“What are you doing in my neighborhood? You mess with the killers. If you don’t take off your hoodie, I’m going to punch you,” Othman continued, according to the DA’s Office.

Zavadsky refused to take off the sweatshirt, prompting Othman to attack him, prosecutors said.

Othman fled and wasn’t arrested until Jan. 11, 2022 — after he was caught on multiple surveillance cameras, the DA’s Office said.

“The hateful and unprovoked assault this defendant admitted to today left one victim hurt, but also shook an entire community,” District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said in a statement. “His conviction, jail time and probation should send a message that this kind of intolerance has serious consequences.”

A day after the antisemitic attack, Zavadsky told The Post he wouldn’t stop wearing the sweatshirt.

“You can’t be scared to walk outside and say you’re Jewish,” he said. “You have to be proud of who you are and stand up for what you believe — and not be intimidated.”

Othman’s criminal defense attorney Muhammad Ikhlas declined to comment Tuesday.

Jew Hater Speaks at CUNY Law Commencement

Outraged critics are demanding CUNY’s billions of dollars in taxpayer funding be stripped away after a law grad delivered a “hate-filled and dangerous’’ commencement address ripping NYPD “fascists” and Israel.

In her vitriolic May 12 graduation speech at the public City University of New York’s law school, newly minted grad Fatima Mousa Mohammed called for a “revolution” to take on the legal system’s “white supremacy’’ while blasting city cops and the US military and claiming Israel carries out “indiscriminate” murder.

“This hate-filled and dangerous speech has been brought to you by @CUNY and paid for by New York taxpayers,” tweeted Simcha Eichenstein, a Democratic state assemblyman representing Brooklyn. “Keep this in mind next time our elected leaders highlight their commitment to fighting antisemitism.”

Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) said, “Imagine being so crazed by hatred for Israel as a Jewish State that you make it the subject of your commencement speech at a law school graduation.

“Anti-Israel derangement syndrome at work.”

Mohammed was selected by the graduating class of 2023 to speak during their graduation ceremony.

Barry Grodenchik, a former Democratic city councilman, agreed with Rep. Torres’s assessment of Mohammed’s speech, writing “@RitchieTorres is spot on here.

“This hater can spout her hate where she pleases but it should not be at the publicly funded @CUNY school of law.

CUNY’s 2023 budget amounted to about $ 4.3 billion, according to the office of city Comptroller Brad Lander.

Most of that funding comes from the state through its annual budget, although more than $600 million came from the city.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment Monday.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams — who was personally bashed by Mohammed in her speech at one point — said in a statement, “I was proud to offer a different message at this year’s CUNY law commencement ceremony — one that celebrates the progress of our city and country, and one that honors those who fight to keep us safe and protect our freedoms, like my uncle Joe, who died at age 19 in Vietnam while giving his life for our country.

“We cannot allow words of negativity and divisiveness to be the only ones our students hear.”

Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Brooklyn Republican, said the grad’s speech was a grave sign for what the future of law in the city might look like.

“If anyone had doubts on what’s going on at @CUNY, and if hearing we held did not convince you, here it is: Vile, unabashed hatred for America, Israel, NYPD, & democracy,” she tweeted. “I can’t imagine sitting in the audience as a graduate. These are NYC’s future lawyers. @CUNY any comment?”

A CUNY rep told The Post in a statement Monday, “Members of the Class of 2023 selected student speakers who offered congratulatory remarks and their own individual perspectives on advocating for social justice.

“As with all such commencement remarks, they reflect the voices of those individuals.”

Antisemitic 'GDL' Flyers Litter Atlanta Suburbs

On Sunday morning, Andrea Ferrard walked to the end of her Roswell, Georgia driveway to get the paper. Sitting next to it, neatly bagged up on the pavement, was a flyer that blamed Jewish people for the slave trade.

“I’ve seen them before on the news,” said Ferrad. “It was really upsetting. I’m a native, I grew up here, and this is not something that happens, and it’s not okay.”

Ferrard wasn’t the only one in her neighborhood to get one – far from it. A good portion of the almost 400 homes in the Edenwilde subdivision awoke to some kind of hateful flyer on their property, from literature linking Jewish people to abortion and the immigration crisis, and urging residents to “secure a White future.”

Some flyers contained demeaning misinformation about the LGBTQ community.

“This country is built on diversity and that’s its strength,” said Ferrard. “And we should be more about love and trying to find some common ground rather than trying to sew up division.”

It’s the most recent of a string of instances like it in the metro area.

“I’ve been a Rabbi in the North Fulton area for 25 years. For 24 out of the 25 years, I never heard any of this,” said Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz with Chabad of North Fulton. “It’s exhausting yes, it’s disappointing yes, and when these things happen people start to get concerned.”

Rabbi Minkowicz pointed to the Georgia legislature’s failure to pass HB140, legislation that would have defined antisemitism and also allowed prosecutors to use hateful acts towards Jewish people as evidence when trying potential hate crimes.

“A thing like that would’ve helped a lot because it would define exactly what’s considered a crime and what’s not,” he said. “I would hope that our elected leaders would see this and this coming legislative session they’ll make sure to do what they have to do and pass that law.”

Police tell Atlanta News First that while they disagree with the things printed on the flyers, and have even identified a party responsible, there’s no crime to prosecute under Georgia law. Frightening as it is, the flyers – police say – are protected free speech.

A Q-R code on the flyers link to the homepage of the Goyim Defense League (GDL), a known and loosely organized antisemitic group that NGO StopAntisemitism has been closely following. The GDL is led by neo-Nazi Jon Minadeo II.

Similar flyers popped up in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, and some were found in East Atlanta.

“We don’t live with fear, Jews, we’ve learned to not live with fear,” said Rabbi Minkowicz. “So a leaflet here and a leaflet there, I’ll never be scared to walk down the street. What scares me is the fact that there are people that think like this; act like this and it just seems to be growing.”

“Whether it’s your child, whether it’s your coworker, whether it’s your parents, whether it’s a spouse, whether it’s anyone in your orbit you have an ability to influence them to stay away from hateful and negative speech, that’s the part we have to do,” he continued. “It’s not something that the other guy has to take care of. Every single one of us has to play a role.”

Antisemitic Spray Paint Found in Coney Island

The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is investigating antisemitic graffiti found on an abandoned Coney Island building.

Authorities say graffiti on the former grocery store at the corner on West Sixth Street and Sheepshead Bay Road featured a swastika. The graffiti has been up for at least three weeks.

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton wrote a Tweet about the incident a few days ago, saying in part, "Any form of bigotry or antisemitism have absolutely no place in our community—especially in one with such a large Jewish population."

Complaints of antisemitic incidents have been on the rise since 2020, according to the NYPD. Data shows that last year, more that 40% of all hate crimes reported to police were directed towards Jewish people.

Chicago Area High School Finds Nazi Symbols in Middle School Yearbook

The family of an eighth-grade Lake Forest student discovered multiple swastikas drawn inside their child's yearbook following a signing event at the north suburban school, according to officials.

Administrators sent out a letter Thursday notifying Deer Path Middle School families of the incident, which reportedly occurred during a yearbook signing following a class field trip.

School district officials said in a statement they're "devastated" the act of hate occurred at Deer Path, and are committed to "cultivating a culture of belonging."

"We are deeply devastated that this abhorrent act of hate occurred at Deer Path by members of our school community. We are committed to cultivating a school culture of belonging for all stakeholders, and any act that discriminates against others is intolerable," said Sam Paulsen, Deer Path Middle School 7/8 Principal.

Paulsen went on to say the behavior directly violated the district's policy against bullying.

School officials said they continue to investigate the incident and encouraged the families of eighth grade students to check their children's yearbooks.

"We are investigating this incident thoroughly. While we hope this is an isolated incident, we encourage the families of all 8th graders to look through their student’s yearbook tonight," Paulsen said.

Paulsen asked anyone with information about the incident to contact his office immediately.

School officials said counseling staff, deans, and other members of its administrative team would be made available for students to speak to over the remaining days of school.

Swastika Spray Painted on Suspicious Gas Canister Found in Carson City Dog Park

According to Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong, Sheriff's Office deputies closed 2nd Street near Roop to investigate what appears to be a suspicious gas canister left on the corner.

Bomb investigation protocol is ongoing at this time and residents must stay away from the area.

Shown in the photo taken by Carson City resident Josh Lopez, the gas canister appears to have a swastika painted on the side and was placed alongside the fence of the 2nd and Roop Street Dog Park.

The location of the gas canister is kitty-corner to the Carson City Courthouse.

Updates to follow.

NYC Chabad 'Mitzvah Tank' Destroyed by Arsonist

A Mitzvah Tank parked on one of the streets in Crown Heights was destroyed in an overnight fire which caused a great deal of damage to the tank and all the contents inside.

The Mitzvah Tank was parked on one of the streets in the Crown Heights neighborhood, ready to set out on Thursday morning mivtzoim when it suddenly went up in flames.

Firefighters who quickly arrived at the scene extinguished the fire, but not before extensive damage was done to the vehicle’s interior and exterior. The police opened an investigation into the case, and a suspected arson attack is being investigated.

Mitzvah Tank NYC offers Jewish people the opportunity to perform a mitzvah on the go. In addition, the Mitzvah Tanks have become involved with volunteer work with those less fortunate, including the large homeless population whom they have come to befriend over the years.

Earlier this year, NGO StopAntisemitism shared that the mitzvah tank was vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti on two separate occasions. Both those incidents were investigated as hate crimes.

Rabbi Yehuda Pewzner, director of the Mitzvah Tank, said “I will not allow this to stop our activity and I’m starting now on my work to get the funding for a new Mitzvah tank.”

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Kratz, who is a regular volunteer on the tank told Anash.org that “Our fleet of Mitzvah Tanks and volunteers are not intimidated or deterred by this hateful incident. In fact, we are already back to our usual programming.”

Roger Waters Draws Criticism for Comparing the Holocaust to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

At a Berlin concert Roger Waters compared Anne Frank to Shireen Abu Aqleh, an Al Jazeera journalist shot while in an active combat zone.

According to spectators, he also dressed up as an SS soldier and pretended to fire a rifle.

MK Danny Danon (Likud) condemned the comparison, saying, "At a Berlin concert, Roger Waters compared Anne Frank to Shireen Abu Aqleh, a journalist shot while in an active combat zone. Waters seeks to compare Israel to the Nazis. He is disgracefully one of the biggest Jew haters of our time. And he is a worse musician than David Gilmour."

Israel's Foreign Ministry responded, "Good morning to everyone but Roger Waters, who spent the evening in Berlin (yes, Berlin) desecrating the memory of Anne Frank and the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust."

StopAntisemitism org responded, "This vile Jew-hater also compared the murder of Holocaust victim Anne Frank to the accidental killing of a reporter covering the Israel/Palestinian conflict. How did Germany allow this to happen in 2023?!"

Waters performed as part of his German tour, "This is Not a Drill." Prior to his performance, people demonstrated in front of the Olympiahalle.

Reuters noted that previously, local politicians had demanded that the performance be canceled due to accusations of anti-Semitism against Waters.

Michigan Residents Pummeled with Antisemitic 'GDL' Flyers

A Novi, Michigan, man is speaking out after antisemitic flyers were placed on his and his neighbor’s driveway What Jeff Lewis likes most about his Novi neighborhood is the diversity. “I trade vegetables over the fence with two of my different neighbors. All three of us are from different ethnic backgrounds,” he said.

That diversity was attacked over the weekend. “This is shocking here, especially given the multinational, multi-cultural nature of this area,” said Lewis.

Someone left sandwich bags, with antisemitic flyers inside, in driveways in his neighborhood, including his. There were corn kernels in the bags to stop them from blowing away.

NGO StopAntisemitism has identified the antisemitic flyers and attributed them to the Goyim Defense League (GDL). The GDL is led by white supremacist Jon Minadeo II. Minadeo and his followers travel the country harassing the Jewish communities with flyer drops, anti-Jewish banner drops, and even physical harassment outside religious centers. Minadeo and his members are no strangers to Michigan. They have participated in flyer drops in surrounding cities and towns.

“I was gut punched. This is 2023. This isn’t 1963. This shouldn’t be happening,” Lewis said. Novi police said they’re investigating.

Nazi Flag Found In U-Haul that Crashed Into White House Barriers

UPDATE May 23, 2023: Local media reports indicated that the suspect in the car ramming near the White House in Washington, DC is 19-year-old Sai Varshith Kandula from Chesterfield, Missouri. He has been charged with threatening to kill or harm a president, vice president, or family member, assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, and trespassing. Authorities seized a Nazi flag when he was detained, and authorities indicated that Sai Varshith Kandula made threatening statements against the White House while he was being detained. No weapons or explosives were located in the vehicle at the time of the arrest. 

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The U.S. Secret Service said it had detained the driver of a rented box truck that crashed into security barriers near the White House on Monday night, perhaps intentionally, but that there were no injuries or ongoing danger.

A Reuters witness said investigators found a Nazi swastika flag that came from inside the truck, which crashed into barriers at Lafayette Square, adjacent to the White House grounds.

Officers retrieved the flag and plastic evidence bags that had been laid out on the sidewalk following the crash and placed them in the back of the U-Haul, a Reuters photographer said.

"Preliminary investigation reveals the driver may have intentionally struck the security barriers at Lafayette Square," Anthony Guglielmi, chief of communications for the Secret Service, said on Twitter. NGO StopAntisemitism also. shared a photo of the Nazi flag and the individual charged in the ramming incident on Twitter.

U.S. Park Police would file charges with investigative support from the Secret Service, he added.

WUSA television showed video of a box-type, U-Haul truck stopped alongside a row of steel bollards, with uniformed law-enforcement officers and a dog approaching the vehicle. A remote-controlled robot pried open the truck's rear door, revealing a dolly but no other obvious cargo.

Chris Zaboji, a witness to the crash, posted a brief video on social media showing the truck driving into the barricades. The video was verified by Reuters. After crashing once, the driver hit the barriers a second time, he said.

Zaboji, 25, an airline pilot who lives in Washington, said he had just finished jogging on the National Mall and was walking home when he heard a loud crash.

"I looked back and saw that the U-Haul van had rammed into the barricade. I backed away behind a guy on a golf cart and took the video on my phone. After I saw it rammed again I didn't want to be anywhere near the truck and left," Zaboji said.

A previous tweet from the Secret Service's Guglielmi said nobody from the White House or Secret Service was injured.

Nazi Symbol Causes Thousands in Damages to Home in Massachusetts

Vandalism that included a 12-foot-by-16-foot swastika spray-painted on the roof caused almost $10,000 in damage to a house under construction on Hatherly Road, police said.

Police said there was damage to several parts of the house's exterior, including the deck and windowpanes, as well as lewd spray-painting inside, a smashed and dented microwave, a broken vodka bottle and two cans of spray paint.

The vandalism occurred between Saturday, May 6, and the morning of Monday, May 8, when an owner of the property notified police. According to the report, rain on the nights of May 7 and 8 washed away any sign of footprints.

Police on Monday reported the vandalism to the public via Facebook and are asking for help identifying who committed the crime.

“The Scituate Police Department and the Town of Scituate will never tolerate any act of hatred or bias-motivated crimes," Police Chief Mark Thompson wrote in the statement posted Monday. "Our investigators continue to work diligently to identify and hold those responsible accountable. As distressing as this act is, based on supporting evidence at this time, the incident appears to be isolated and not the work of an organized hate group.”

Anyone found responsible could face charges of wanton and malicious destruction of property, misdemeanor breaking and entering, defacement of property and trespassing, a police report states. Hate crimes are not listed among the possible charges. Police did not say whether the property owners are Jewish.

Anti-Jewish 'NSM' Flyers Distributed in Montana

The Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department in Montana needs your help tracking down a man, who is suspected of distributing antisemitic flyers.

The flyer was identified by NGO StopAntisemitism as belonging to the Nationalist Socialist Movement (NSM) is one of many found recently by people living in the Upper and Lower Westside area.

Sheriff Ed Lester told Montana Right Now that home surveillance video shows an adult, white man distributing these flyers on car windows and porches.

He was wearing a black hoodie, gray sweats and white tennis shoes.

And Sheriff Lester said that he may face charges for distributing literature associated with a hate crime.

Authorities are asking people who live in the area to review their home security camera footage.

Anti-Jewish 'GDL' Propaganda Plagues Virginia Town

Virginia is seeing a dramatic increase in reports of hate and attacks on people in the Jewish Community as News 3 has learned about hateful antisemitic flyers showing up in Hampton Roads neighborhoods.

Governor Youngkin’s Office reports that hateful flyers have popped up in 100 towns and cities across the state along with a spike in antisemitic reports of assaults, vandalism and harassment.

NGO StopAntisemitism has attributed the flyers to the Goyim Defense League. The league, run by neo-Nazi Jon Minadeo II, are no strangers to antisemitic flyers drops in the Virginia area.

Rabbi Gershon Litt is the Executive Director of the Hillel at the William and Mary campus, the Jewish student organization.

“This is nothing new. This is something that we have been dealing with forever,” said Litt.

He said he takes students on trips to Jerusalem and asks them if they have personally experienced antisemitism. He said in years past about 10% to 20% would raise their hands, but recently he said almost all the students raised their hands.

Due to the number of problems – the Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares created a statewide task force to investigate.

“It’s ignorance, it’s scapegoating. It’s the same thing we’ve seen forever and the more polarized our society gets in the more that blame shows it’s ugly face,” said Litt.

To break down those barriers, Litt says education is key.

“As much as the people that hate want to put out their lies, it’s our job to counter that with the truth and the only way we can countered is to increase awareness, talk about the reality and what is the history of the Jewish people,” said Litt.

Yale University Jewish Student Targeted with Antisemitic Flyers

Robert Lucas, a student at Yale University, was recently targeted with antisemitic flyers that read, “Jews like Robert Lucas continue to spew their anti-White hatred toward Whites and insists Whites feel guilty for slavery,” according to Yale Daily News. 

Lucas is a graduate student at the Yale School of Management (SOM).

Lucas told Campus Reform the messages were “disturbing and a sickening reminder that antisemitism persists today," adding that he "won’t let it discourage [him] from calling for change.”

In February, Lucas wrote as a guest columnist for the Yale Daily News, urging Yale to rename the street the SOM is located on.

Yale SOM is located on 165 Whitney Avenue, named after Yale alumni Eli Whitney. Whitney is well-known for patenting the cotton gin and for inventing the Colt revolver, "a weapon instrumental in the federal government’s westward expansion and theft of Native land."

Lucas explained to Yale Daily News that despite Whitney hoping the cotton gin would decrease the need for slaves it actually tripled the demand for slaves. 

“The Whitney Family’s impact on American history is to be studied, not celebrated. The cotton gin, the Colt revolver and the Whitney family’s business practices do not represent the best of Yale,” Lucas wrote in his op-ed. 

Lucas continued, “The University can and must do better. Yale should rethink marketing Eli Whitney for its academic programs and support renaming Whitney Avenue along campus, which includes SOM and Science Hill.”

“The community can and should have input in deciding the ultimate name change,” Lucas emphasized to Campus Reform.

In response to Lucas’ suggestions in his op-ed, antisemitic flyers were found on Whitney Avenue.

"The flyers focus on a theory — often cited by white supremacists — that Jewish people were primarily responsible for slavery in the United States," reports Yale Daily News.

The New Haven Police Department is investigating the case to find out who placed the flyers targeting Lucas with racial slurs. 

Antisemitic Graffiti Plasters University of California Santa Barbara's Chabad

Antisemitic graffiti was found Friday morning at the Chabad of UCSB, just hours before hundreds were to gather there for a special Shabbat dinner.

NGO StopAntisemitism shared the incident with their followers on Twitter.

It was written in big letters on a roadway by the Chabad, and the content was clearly anti-Israel and clearly designed to upset the people at the Chabad. 

Antisemitic 'GDL' Flyers Discovered in Oklahoma City

A northwest Oklahoma City neighborhood woke up to unexpected flyers. The flyers with antisemitic language were found in many yards early Saturday morning in the Harvest Hills addition off the NW Expressway.

The flyers were inside plastic sandwich bags weighed down with corn kernels and it appears they were distributed randomly.

“I was absolutely shocked,” said one neighbor who wanted to remain anonymous. “At first, I thought this has got to be a joke.”

However, the language of the flyer was clear and filled with antisemitic propaganda.

“I don't support the message, and to think there's people out there that do, yes it does concern me that they could be just around the corner,” she said.

The messages on the flyers were all slightly different but included the Star of David and antisemitic language toward the War in Ukraine, COVID and the Biden administration.

Some of the flyers reference GOYIM TV, which online, referencing an antisemitic propaganda site attributed the flyers to the Goyim Defense League. The league is run by neo-Nazi leader Jon Minadeo II.

“It's kind of a crazy thing,” said James Phelps, who lives in the neighborhood.

Phelps didn’t get the bag in his yard, but he’s part of the neighborhood watch group patrolling the streets.

“We're kind of looking to see whose throwing those out there maybe we can get a license plate number,” said Phelps.

For now, people here feel there’s little they can do, besides send a message back to those responsible.

“I most definitely don't appreciate having this kind of propaganda thrown onto my property,” the neighbor said. “I don't support it; I think they would be best to stay out of our neighborhood.”

And with vigilant neighbors, they just might.

“If they see us out there, they know we're watching,” Phelps said.

The neighbor we talked to did call Oklahoma City Police to file a report.

Antisemitic Vandalism Found in Chicago Park

UPDATE May 25, 2023: Police have arrested a juvenile for the antisemitic vandalism in Highland Park. The suspect was arrested on Tuesday, and the Lake County State's Attorney's Office was working on charges. ; more here.

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Police are investigating after a swastika and other antisemitic vandalism was found in Highland Park as city officials said that “acts of hate and bigotry” are not tolerated in the city.

The Highland Park Police Department was notified of the vandalism Friday morning in the Hybernia neighborhood.

The city said that “acts of hate and bigotry are not tolerated” in Highland Park and the police department will be implementing additional patrols throughout the city.

A Highland Park resident said she came upon the vandalism while walking along a path near her home.

A swastika and the word “Jew” along with other depictions were left on a garbage can in painter’s tape.

The can is used to store food for the swans in the neighborhood.

The City of Highland Park said they condemn “any racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ+, ableist, or otherwise hate-motived groups or individuals who are threatening any form of violent acts, bigoted harassment on, or discrimination against our residents, visitors, or city staff.”

“This behavior is never acceptable, but it is particularly outrageous that any groups would further an agenda of hate and fear,” the city said in a statement.

The city also said they will take every possible action to ensure that residents, workers and visitors will not face discrimination or harassment.

“Violent threats have no place in our country, state, or city, and will not be tolerated. Reports of such hate crimes are of great concern. The Police Department will continue to work closely with partner agencies to ensure the continued safety of our community,” the city said in the statement.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 847-432-7730.

“It is vitally important that our community holds to our values and stands together in denouncing all acts of bigotry and violence. Hate has no home in Highland Park or anywhere,” the city said.

Swastika Uncovered at Berkshires Area High School

A swastika was found penned in a bathroom stall Thursday along with antisemitic language in a boys bathroom at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

It was the second case of hate speech affecting the school community within recent days. Last week, a “racist and body shaming screenshot” was found on Snapchat, according to Monument Mountain Principal Kristina Farina.

“I am sorry to report that today, we had another hateful image shared in school,” Farina wrote in an email to the school community. “This image was then photographed and shared.”

After it was discovered, it was also photographed by a school staff member and then removed by a custodian.

“We are in the process of investigating and reviewing digital footage outside of the bathroom,” Farina’s email continued. “In schools around the county and country, these incidents are all too common. We condemn these actions and we will not tolerate it.”

A student representative to the regional School Committee told the committee about the swastika at Thursday’s meeting under the “roses and thorns” section of the agenda, where it was discussed.

On Friday morning, Farina called Great Barrington police to begin an investigation.

Superintendent Peter Dillon sent out a similar message Friday to the school community. He said the district is working in partnership with faith-based and community organizations, including rabbis from Hevreh of Southern Berkshire.

After a similar incident was reported last month at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, every student was interviewed. But Farina said no such process would be undertaken in the Monument incident.

“I think that would be a tremendous amount of time investment for administration that would be unlikely to lead us to any conclusive evidence,” Farina said.

Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue issued a statement through a spokesperson Friday afternoon. In it he referred to three recent incidents in three different school districts in the Berkshires within the last month. He did not list the incidents, but said they “entailed antisemitic and anti-LGBTQIA+, specifically transphobic, remarks and graffiti.”

Both Farina and Dillon spoke of the dual challenge of investigating the two incidents and trying to educate the community.

In fact, Monument Mountain has been engaged in that process in consultation with the Stoke Collective, which is about to release a report on its two years of work at the school.

Two weeks ago, there was an anti-racist assembly, largely led by students at the school. Both of these incidents followed that event.

“One of the things that I personally have been reflective about is how important it is for people in the community to hear from the school leader directly when incidents occur, that are hateful and cause harm to members of our community.” Farina said.

She said one immediate step she will take is to form a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging parents group. A student group already exists.

She shared the email she intended to send parents Friday afternoon.

“One might argue there has been an increase in behavior as a reaction to our assemblies, but I prefer to see this differently,” she wrote. “We asked students to be more aware of racism, bigotry, bias and prejudice. More importantly, we told them when they see such behaviors, they should take action.”

Farina told The Eagle, “I think it’s the proactive and prosocial work that we do with students that in the long run is going to be the best hope we have combating hatred and prejudice and discrimination in our communities.”