'Pure Evil': Swampscott Officials Speak Out On Antisemitic Vandalism

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott officials are both condemning and drawing attention to an incident of antisemitic vandalism found on a Paradise Road lawn sign Tuesday as they seek to confront the act of hate rather than minimize it.

"We must not ignore this incident and the hate that has been scrawled on this sign as it is pure evil. We all must discuss this incident at home with our families and our children," Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said in a joint Select Board and Town Administrator statement. "Now is the time to stand up and support our Jewish neighbors and families — they need our help."

The statement included a photo (shown below) of the sign found vandalized with a swastika Tuesday morning. Police also condemned this incident and asked residents in the area of Paradise Road near the water tower to check any home security footage for images that may help lead to the identification of the person responsible.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111.

"It is intolerable to see these types of hate crimes in Swampscott," Swampscott Select Board Chair David Grishman said. "The town of Swampscott is shocked by this incident and stands with all those who fight against hate in our community."

As has been the case with other antisemitic vandalism found in the town in recent years, officials said it was important to recognize the bias and hate that exists in the town and expose it rather than dismiss it as an isolated incident.

"I have said this before, as citizens of Swampscott, we all share a responsibility to confront hate, and this starts right here at home in Swampscott," Swampscott Select Board Member Peter Spellios. "Unfortunately, these are dark days and there is too much hate in our community and throughout the world — we must call out this hate and what this Nazi symbol represents."

The officials said the statement was meant to express "solidarity with the Jewish families in Swampscott and around the world."

"Swampscott stands against all those who espouse hate in the strongest possible terms," Swampscott Select Board Vice Chair Katie Phelan said. "We all have an obligation to speak out against this ugly sign of hate and share our love for all."

"It is heartbreaking to see so much hate — both innocent Israeli and Palestinian families have been targets of violence and hate and have been victimized. We need more care, we need more love, we need more understanding, and we need peace between Israel and Palestine," Swampscott Select Board Member Doug Thompson said.

"The actions of this coward do not speak for the good people of Swampscott, "Swampscott Select Board Member Mary Ellen Fletcher said. "With antisemitism on the rise, we all need to lead with our actions and do everything possible to recognize this hate and push against it.

"It's fine to talk about loving our neighbors but only our actions can make a difference. It starts with each one of us."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)