BALTIMORE (WBFF) — At the intersection of East Baltimore Street and North Central Avenue, as is the case in many parts of Baltimore City, graffiti is nothing new.
But what was spray painted on a U.S. Marine Corps billboard this week was an act of vandalism that community activist Arch McKown couldn’t ignore.
“Obviously, it was pretty appalling to see that,” McKown said. “We were driving by and my son, a teenager, he looked over and he said, ‘Dad, what’s that? What’s that Nazi sign about?’”
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In bold black letters, covering an image of several service members, was the word “Nazi.”
“It’s deeply offensive to those in the neighborhood who have served in militaries, particularly U.S. Marine Corps, as well as our Jewish neighbors, because to throw around the term Nazi, I think it really minimizes what happened to Jews historically,” McKown said.
McKown said his first call was to Baltimore Police, who confirmed to FOX45 that the crime is under investigation. “It is hate crime, so I would like to see a consequence for this,” McKown said. His second call was to City Council President Zeke Cohen.
“This is absolutely unacceptable,” Cohen said.
Cohen said he then contacted the billboard’s owner, Clear Channel, who has since taken it down completely.
“As the first Jewish City Council president in over 40 years, I will not stand for people desecrating a military installment signal like that,” Cohen said.
It comes at a time antisemitic incidents — from vandalism to violent attacks — are on the rise nationwide. Cohen stressed the urgency for action and accountability, warning whoever was behind the graffiti should be held to the fullest extent of the law.
“It is important that the city does everything it can to make sure our community is safe and secure,” he said, “We are working directly with law enforcement to make sure Jewish Baltimoreans are safe.”
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