State College, PA – State College Police are seeking answers after anonymous flyers of antisemitism were found in several boroughs over the weekend.
According to a press release, the flyers were left along sidewalks and roadways in residential areas. They did not specify any neighborhoods in the press release.
According to the Centre County Advisory Council, the first incident happened on September 1 and included leaflets being left on cars.
Police added that more flyers were left sometime before 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1. The second incident targeted specific members of the Jewish community, according to the Centre County Advisory Council. This hate material was placed inside zip-lock bags containing rice and
thrown onto these individuals’ lawns
As the Centre County Advisory Council officers to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, we are appalled that these threatening actions are happening in our home community. This is dangerous, and we, as representatives of this organization and community, demand that people call out these actions as racist and antisemitic. There is no place for this dangerous behavior in our community or anywhere.
State College Police are investigating the origins of these flyers. They are also urging anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact the State College Police Department at (814) 234-7150 or by submitting an anonymous tip through their website.
This type of activity has no place in our community. The State College Police Department is committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all our residents and guests. These acts of intolerance undermine our community values and hinder our efforts toward inclusivity. If you encounter one of these types of propaganda or feel threatened by an act of hate, call the police right away
A local rabbi, David Ostrich, emphasizes the importance of awareness, stating that the current situation is not a crisis.
“It’s a shame when somebody is thinking that particular group is their enemy when they’re not their enemy and their ignoring the real cause of whatever their difficulties are,” Ostrich said.
