Neo-Nazi Group Hangs 'Vax The Jews' Banner In Austin

Austin TX

25 October, 2021

11:58 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — An anti-Semitic banner was hung from a bridge in Austin on Sunday with the message "Vax the Jews." The banner was displayed over TX-Loop 1, most notably known as the Mopac Expressway on the city's west side. The display was a few blocks away from the Shalom Austin Jewish Community Center and several synagogues. A neo-Nazi group called Goyim Defense League put up the banner, according to Israeli National News. The Anti-Defamation League calls the group a "a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism." Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. The group's name itself is a parody of Jewish groups including the Jewish Defense League and Anti-Defamation League, using the word "goyim," which means "non-Jews" and can have an insulting connotation, the Israeli news site reports. Photos on social media showed members of the group standing behind the banner making the Nazi salute. City leaders are speaking out, condemning incidents of anti-Semitic, racist, homophobic messaging seen around Austin since Friday and over the weekend. Please see my statement below regarding the banner that was displayed over MoPac. https://t.co/tOcnPPqmSB pic.twitter.com/tWv0eyJbb1— Joseph Chacon 👮🏻‍♂️ (@Chief_Chacon) October 24, 2021 A few days before the banner was raised, racist and antisemitic graffiti was discovered at Anderson High School, about a mile and a half away from the JCC. "I am heartbroken to see antisemitic hatred in Austin, a welcoming and respectful place. Hatred of any kind has no place in our city," said Austin Mayor Steve Adler in a tweet. Adler, who is Jewish, linked to the ADL's website to encourage the community to report incidents of bias or antisemitism. Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon addressed the banner on Sunday, saying the messages have no place in the capital city. "Let's be clear. Hate and bigotry have absolutely no place in our community and certainly are not welcome in our police department," Chacon said in a statement. "Views shared by demonstrators during a protest action over the weekend were abhorrent and do not reflect our values." I am heartbroken to see antisemitic hatred in Austin, a welcoming and respectful place. Hatred of any kind has no place in our city. If you see or hear it, you should report it to @ADL at https://t.co/baFmvEIpjD— Mayor Adler | Get vaccinated! (@MayorAdler) October 24, 2021 In a letter to the Jewish community Sunday, the JCC said it was in touch with the police about the incident and warned that while the group might stage more demonstrations in the coming days, members of the Jewish community were advised not to engage with them. The letter said there did not appear to be a connection between the graffiti at the high school and the banner. "The Austin Police Department is aware, has been incredibly supportive, and has been carefully monitoring and observing the situation," the JCC leaders wrote. A photo of a member of the hate group fist bumping an Austin Police officer also circulated on social media Sunday, prompting some to accuse the police department of harboring supporters of the anti-Semitic group. Chacon said Sunday a supervisor responded to the scene and got a protester to comply with his requests to ensure the scene remained safe. At the conclusion of the conversation, the responding supervisor declined a request for a handshake and instead opted for a fist-bump citing "COVID-19 safety protocols." Chacon said he asks the community to not "buy into the hate and images that have been taken out of context on social media." "...APD remains vigilant in its priority in keeping the Austin community safe and holding those who commit crimes accountable," Chacon said. Our officers handled themselves professionally & protected lives while upholding the tenets of the Constitution. Our officers face the ugliness of hate & demonization just because of their commitment to serve the public. Below gives a little view from an officer. #SaferAustin https://t.co/gI6lsgMzsG— Austin Police Association (@ATXPOA) October 24, 2021 On Sunday, the Austin Police Association shared an on-duty officer's testimony of the incident. The officer, who was not identified, said they were the object of the group's hatred because they were wearing a department approved LGBTQ patch on their ball cap when they responded to the incident. The officer said the group did not know they were Jewish. "You're going to read a lot of emotions about APD's responses to the incidents. I understand the frustration as much, if not more, than anyone because I was there on-duty," the officer said. "They (the hate group) are going around the country provoking a response. However, we upheld our oath to protect everyone's constitutional rights, including those of people who would likely kill me if they had the power to do so. I'm proud of our response yesterday. We did what we could to protect everyone."