On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, the Madison community came upon swastikas spray painted on a historic site near the Gates of Heaven Synagogue in James Madison Park. Slogans such as “TRUMP RULES,” “ANTIFA SUCKS” and other anti-Semitic slogans were sprayed onto a monument outside the temple.
In response, groups including organizers of the event, Industrial Workers of the World and the General Defense Committee, as well as the Anti-Fascist Action and the International Socialist Organization gathered together Sunday at James Madison Park. Speakers from the local and state community spoke out against Fascism, anti-Semitism and the “alt-right.”
Next to the demonstration, people gathered around the historic marker to put flowers and stand in observance. One demonstrator hopes the demonstration will provide a strong deterrent to “fascists” conducting offensive acts that hurt the community.
