A Jewish cemetery in a Chicago suburb was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti, local media reported on Monday.
At least 16 headstones were painted with Swastikas and another 23 were defaced at the Am Echod cemetery in Waukegan, Illinois. The message “Kanye Was Rite” was spray-painted on one headstone that marked the grave of a husband and wife.
“We have no words for this depravity and evil,” watchdog group StopAntisemitism tweeted.
The vandalism remains under investigation.
“I am deeply disturbed and angered by the hateful imagery found spray-painted on headstones yesterday in Am Echod Jewish Cemetery,” Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor wrote on Facebook.
“Hate does not have a home in Waukegan; when such incidents occur, our marginalized neighbors are victimized, and our entire community suffers. I hope our officers promptly locate the perpetrators of this despicable act and hold them accountable, and I offer my full support to those directly impacted by this vandalism.”
“I stand with Mayor Ann Taylor in condemning this evil act, and offer the state’s full support in the pursuit of justice,” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said. “Officials at Illinois State Police are in communication with city leaders.”
“I am shocked and appalled by the defacement of the Am Echod Jewish Cemetery in Waukegan,” Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois’s 10th Congressional District wrote on Twitter. “This act of hate is despicable. I join with other leaders and organizations such as Mayor Ann Taylor and the ADL in condemning this attack. Hate has no home here.”
The Kanye West effect terrorizing American Jews
Antisemitism has been on the rise since rapper Kanye West tweeted earlier this month allegedly threatening Jews.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3… on JEWISH PEOPLE,” he wrote, which he later followed up with a slew of anti-Jewish comments.
Days after Kanye’s initial tweet, neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League hung up a sign in Los Angeles which read “Kanye is right about the Jews” above a highway overpass while giving Nazi salutes.
