City Of Arvada, Religious Leaders Condemn Antisemitic Flyers

ARVADA, CO —Arvada police said they continue to investigate the distribution of antisemitic flyers in the city on Jan. 22 or Jan. 23, the same weekend the flyers were distributed in Denver and Castle Rock.

Arvada Police Department spokesperson Dave Snelling told the Denver Post that the flyers were "a concern to the community, and it's a concern to (the police department)." While the investigation continues, Snelling told Patch on Tuesday that the department had not received any new reports of flyers being distributed in the last week.

According to the city of Arvada, the APD was contacted last month by several community members, who reported receiving the flyers that named several national COVID-19 guideline decision-makers and identified them as being Jewish. Similar flyers have been reported in California, Florida, Maryland and Texas.

The Denver Post reported that the flyers were placed in plastic baggies containing rice and distributed overnight (Jan. 22-23) on driveways in Arvada around West 72nd Avenue and Oak Street and northwest of the intersection.

On Jan. 23, Denver police received reports of the flyers being distributed to residents in the Country Club neighborhood.

The City of Arvada released a strongly-worded statement about the flyers.

"The City of Arvada strongly condemns all acts of hate and religious bigotry. Furthermore, false information tying the pandemic to ethnic or religious groups is abhorrent and harms our community," the city's statement said.

"The City of Arvada is committed to enhancing the lives of all who live, work and play in our community. We encourage all members of our community to work together to ensure our city continues to be a welcoming and safe community for all."

The city said APD crime scene investigators processed the evidence in the days after the flyers were distributed and an APD intelligence detective had been in touch with the Anti-Defamation League.

The ADL said it has been working with law enforcement agencies across the nation, looking into groups that may be responsible for the production and distribution of the antisemitic propaganda.

Shortly after the flyers were found, Scott Levin, Mountain States regional director of the ADL, addressed the situation.

"It is especially despicable and disgusting that a group of antisemites would choose to distribute hateful, antisemitic propaganda just one week after the hostage situation at the synagogue in Colleyville, Texas," Levin said. "It is important to expose this type of hateful activity and to shine a light on the increase in antisemitism in Colorado and across the country. At the same time, we should avoid giving this group the notoriety and attention it desires."

Meanwhile, Rabbi Benjy Brackman, Rabbi/executive director of Chabad of NW Metro Denver, said he saluted the APD for "dedicating the resources to prosecute the perpetrators of these vile leaflets distributed in their city."

"Antisemitism cannot be tolerated at any level and cities should recognize that even the most benign forms of antisemitism are meant to intimidate the Jewish community to make them feel unsafe and unwelcome," Brackman said.