UPDATE: Gov. Pete Ricketts released the following statement on Thrursday in regards to this incident:
“I condemn anti-Semitism in the strongest possible terms, and encourage Nebraskans from all backgrounds to do the same,” said Gov. Ricketts. “The Jewish community has been a vital part of our state for generations. I urge anyone with information about the vandalism to report it to the Lincoln Police Department, so the perpetrator can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
The Lincoln Police Department released these images of their top suspect:
The Anti-Defamation League Plains States Region released the following statement in reaction to the vandalism:
“This heinous act of desecration committed against this house of worship is despicable and must be condemned in the strongest terms by community leaders,” said Gary Nachman, Regional Director of ADL Plain States/CRC. “But this cowardly behavior, which only seeks to instill fear in our community, will not deter Jews or any other religious group from practicing our constitutional right of religious expression and freedom. We stand with the Lincoln Jewish community and are ready and willing to assist law enforcement as they go forth with their investigation.”
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This morning, the Lincoln Police Department received a report of "racial epithets" painted on the steps of a Jewish temple.
When officers arrived, they observed an orange swastika painted on the front steps of the South Street Temple, located at 2061 S 20th St, Lincoln, NE 68502.
Police say they do not know who is to blame for the swastika and the incident is being investigated as a hate crime.
They ask anyone with information or anyone who may have suffered a similar incident to call police at 402-441-6000.
We received the following images of the graffiti which also includes another swastika on the temple door, in addition to the words "Black Shirt."
