Politics & Government

Mike Pence Helps Clean Up Vandalized Jewish Cemetery

"There's no place in America for hatred, or acts of prejudice, violence or anti-Semitism," the vice president said.

ST. LOUIS, MO — Vice President Mike Pence visited a vandalized Jewish cemetery in St. Louis Wednesday, where he delivered a speech condemning anti-Semitism and even pitched in to help clean up.

"There's no place in America for hatred, or acts of prejudice, violence or anti-Semitism," he said in a speech to the attendees. "I must tell you that the people of Missouri are inspiring the nation by your love and care for this place and the Jewish community. I want to thank you for that inspiration. For showing the world what America is all about."

More than 150 tombstones were knocked over and damaged at the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery.

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The vice president joined in a Hebrew prayer at the site of the vandalism. Jewish community centers and buildings have faced a wave of bomb threats in recent months. On Wednesday, the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights group that fights anti-Semitism, received a bomb threat at its headquarters in Manhattan.

Pence even picked up a rake and helped clean up the grounds of the cemetery while he was there.

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A page on LaunchGood titled "Muslims Unite to Repair Jewish Cemetery" raised over $90,000 to support the repair efforts. It quickly blew passed its original goal of $20,000.

On Tuesday, President Trump condemned the attack on the cemetery while visiting the National Museum of African-American History.

“Anti-Semitism is horrible, and it’s going to stop, and it has to stop," he said. "The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community and community centers are horrible and are a painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil."

Watch some of the news footage of Pence's visit to the cemetery below:

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Photo credit: YouTube Screenshot/Fox10 News

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