San Marcos Becomes Next Target Of Antisemitic Hate In Texas

Austin TX

05 November, 2021

2:01 PM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — Some San Marcos area residents were the latest victims of a string of antisemitic acts last weekend that have plagued the Austin Metro and Texas over the last several days. Several people in a few cities in Hays County had received disturbing, hateful letters, which were sealed in a plastic bag filled with small rocks, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra said Sunday. The letters targeted Jewish community members and blamed them for the coronavirus pandemic. 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. This weekend, people in a few cities in Hays Co received a disturbing letter. Negative actions motivated in bias is an attack against an entire community & not just an attack on a single person. This behavior is not acceptable. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/tOasZ3Go5I— Judge Ruben Becerra (@rubenbecerrasr) November 1, 2021 "Negative actions motivated in bias is an attack against an entire community and not just an attack on a single person," Becerra wrote in a Twitter post. "This behavior is not acceptable." The Hays County sheriff's office said that it has no criminal offenses of this type under investigation, but that it has received a few scattered reports of propaganda being anonymously distributed. The incident is just one of several antisemitic incidents reported across the Austin area in the past few weeks. The same day Hays County residents received hateful mail, an arsonist set a small fire to Congregation Beth Israel in Austin. Austin fire has identified a possible suspect but are encouraging residents to stay vigilant to find the arsonist responsible. RELATED COVERAGE: Austin Fire Suspects Arson In Congregation Beth Israel Fire The Anti-Defamation League in Austin, the local chapter of a national group that monitors hate crimes, said it was tracking 17 reported incidents over a course of 10 days across the state. Texas is home to more than 108,000 adherents to Judaism, according to the Texas Almanac. In Austin, four antisemitic incidents have been reported since Oct. 22. One incident involved an Oct. 23 protest of a Neo-Nazi group that held a banner over Mopac Expressway with the words: "Vax the Jews." Antisemitic posters were also placed in east Austin, where members of a hate group also approached Black and Hispanic people making statements about the Jewish community that were untrue. RELATED COVERAGE: Neo-Nazi Group Hangs 'Vax The Jews' Banner In Austin Community leaders across the Austin area have condemned these acts and have called for solidarity with Jewish neighbors and residents. The Travis County Commissioners Court and the Austin City Council have both passed resolutions denouncing antisemitism and hateful speech. Earlier this week, more than two dozen faith leaders and clergy members from across Austin were joined by community leaders at a rally held by nonprofit Interfaith Action of Central Texas as they called for unity.