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Surge of Antisemitic Graffiti Prompts Local Condemnations and National Criticism
By Drooid · · How we work
Recent Antisemitic Graffiti in Deerfield and Highland Park
Overnight, the village hall in Deerfield, a suburb of Chicago, was defaced with antisemitic graffiti that was discovered the following morning and promptly removed. The incident follows a swastika spray-painted on a playground slide at Devonshire Park in neighboring Highland Park less than a week earlier. Highland Park police opened an investigation and increased patrols around parks and houses of worship.
Local Officials’ Responses
They announced heightened monitoring of public buildings and religious sites. In Highland Park, Mayor Rotering published a multilingual message—including Hebrew—on September 14, 2026, declaring “Hate has no place here.” Both municipalities have pledged continued police presence to deter further incidents.
Anti-Defamation League Critique of New York City Policy
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) sharply rebuked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s recently released antisemitism strategy. The ADL contended that the strategy offers no alternative definition and fails to treat antisemitic hatred as an emergency.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Mamdani’s antisemitism strategy has finally been released,” — The ADL — The ADL