Antisemitic Flyers Distributed Across Twin Cities, Suburbs

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN — Community leaders are speaking out after antisemitic flyers were distributed across the Twin Cities in recent days and weeks.

The flyers have been documented since July 1 in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, North Oaks, New Brighton, Cottage Grove and Arden Hills, according to the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Described by the council as “noxious propaganda” and published online by the Coordination Forum for Countering Antisemitism, the flyers say, “Every single aspect of the media is Jewish,” and include photos of media company leaders, each with a Star of David on their forehead.

The Goyim Defense League is to blame for the flyers, according to the council. The league considers the Holocaust “a Jewish lie” and frequently references Jews having undue power through “control” of major institutions, according to the council, which cited the Anti-Defamation League. Responsible for at least 74 antisemitic propaganda incidents in 2021, the Goyim Defense League is known for “virulent antisemitism,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.

“We hesitate to offer any public attention to these hateful provocateurs, which is what they seek,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the council, in a prepared statement. “However, we wish to assure the community that there is no evidence of these fliers being associated with imminent violence and that we will continue tracking these distributions and are in close communication with our law enforcement partners.”

St. Louis Park residents found the flyers Monday, according to the city, as did at least one Edina resident, the Star Tribune reported, adding similar flyers were discovered last month near homes in the Highland Park area of St. Paul.

“This morning I, and those in my neighborhood, awoke to antisemitic flyers left at our homes which served as a disgusting and sad reminder that religious-based hate remains a pervasive problem,” said St. Louis Park Mayor Jake Spano, who found one of the flyers on his own lawn Monday morning, in a prepared statement.

“I’ve been in contact with residents of multiple faiths today and I can tell you that whatever the people spreading these hateful messages think they are accomplishing in dividing people, it’s having the exact opposite effect.”

The Star Tribune attempted to reach Jon Minadeo, who runs the Goyim Defense League’s video-sharing website, to try to confirm the league is behind the flyers.

St. Louis Park residents who received a flyer or have video of the flyers being distributed are asked to call police at 952-924-2618.