Police are investigating antisemitic graffiti that was found this morning in Bethesda near the intersection of Fleming Ave and Dickens Ave, at the entrance of the Bethesda Trolley trail. Additional graffiti was later found on a brick wall at Old Georgetown Road and Tuckerman Lane. Antisemitic vandalism also occurred at the Bethesda Trolley Trail back in August. According to MCPD, “The graffiti was reported at 6:30 this morning at the Bethesda Trolley Trail. MCPD is investigating, but at this time there are no suspects or descriptions. We are asking residents to check ring cameras or other home surveillance video. More information will be released when it’s available.” Feature photo courtesy of Laura Rosenberg Hosid.
County Executive Marc Elrich released the following statement: “For the second time in just over three months, the Bethesda Trolley Trail has been tagged with antisemitic graffiti in the Wildwood neighborhood. Montgomery County response teams are working to remove these hateful images as quickly as possible. I visited this site after the first incident in August and it deeply saddened me to see this. My Chief Administrative Officer, Rich Madaleno, visited this morning and was also appalled. To see this happen again just a few months later is truly upsetting. Additionally, we also learned of a second location, at Old Georgetown Road and Tuckerman Lane, where more antisemitic graffiti was tagged on a brick wall.
Antisemitism, hate, and attempts at intimidation in any form should not exist nor be tolerated anywhere, especially in a community like Montgomery County. I have had to personally deal with antisemitism throughout my entire life, and I have always hoped that there would be a day in my lifetime when it would no longer be a part of our society. Sadly, from pop culture icons to right wing hate groups, we are witnessing a rise in antisemitism throughout this nation. I never imagined we would be at this place in the 21st century.
We must combat these tragic and despicable incidents through unity in every neighborhood and community throughout the County. We are one of the most diverse jurisdictions anywhere in the world and now is a time when we need to use it to make us stronger. We must support and uplift our Jewish community during this time and we must continue to not tolerate hate in any form in Montgomery County, the state of Maryland and in this nation.
I encourage anyone with any knowledge or information about these crimes to contact the Montgomery County Police Department as soon as possible.”