The bug that backfired - Covid-19

[yankeedoodle]

Antisemitic COVID19 Stickers Found in Halifax, Canada
https://www.stopantisemitism.org/antisemitic-incidents-50/antisemitic-covid19-stickers-found-in-halifax-canada

Members of Halifax's Jewish community are speaking out in response to stickers they view as antisemitic that have been appearing around the city in recent weeks.

The stickers, printed in black and white on mailing labels, say: "The Bug That Backfired COVID-19." Also shown are the Jewish Magen David, or Star of David, and a symbol resembling that of the Freemasons.

"At first glance, this sort of appears strange and people might be unsure," said Naomi Rosenfeld, executive director of the Atlantic Jewish Council. "But, unfortunately, we know that this messaging harkens back to old antisemitic tropes."

One of those is the well-known Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Rosenfeld said that is a fabricated antisemitic text that tells the tale of Jews who conspire to rule the world.

"The implication is that the Jewish community was the cause of COVID-19, which obviously is completely false and very antisemitic," she said, adding it also implicates the Freemasons in the same way.

This line of antisemitic thinking is not representative of Halifax and Nova Scotia at large, Rosenfeld said, and the Jewish community has always felt "welcome and at home" in her four years at the helm of the AJC.

But she said the COVID-19 pandemic has everyone "on edge."

"Unfortunately, it's human nature to try and find a scapegoat ... and a very small, very radical group has decided that the Jewish community is that scapegoat," she said.

The stickers have been found around the city's downtown core and on some university campuses, Rosenfeld said.

Marnina Goneck, a member of Independent Jewish Voices in Halifax, has seen the stickers in the downtown. She found them "hateful" and "very disturbing."



Goneck and Rosenfeld both encourage anyone who comes across a sticker to take a picture and report it to either of their organizations as well as Halifax Regional Police.

"We can't keep quiet about something like this," Goneck said. "We have to really make sure we draw attention in a way that condemns these kinds of actions. We can't just let it go."

A spokesperson for HRP confirmed in an email they have received at least one report relating to the stickers.

Source:  https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/jewish-community-condemn-stickers-covid-19-1.5749520

[maz]

Jews are afraid of stickers and flyers. That should tell you how fragile they are.

[yankeedoodle]

Jews are afraid of stickers and flyers. That should tell you how fragile they are.

Here's a sticker they don't seem to like, Maz.  Wonder if they printed it themselves.   



Washington State Area Police Looking for Individual Responsible for Swastika "We Are Everywhere" Stickers
https://www.stopantisemitism.org/antisemitic-incidents-51/washington-area-police-looking-for-suspect-responsible-for-swastika-stickers

A hate crime investigation is underway in Bellingham after Swastika stickers were plastered on several businesses this weekend.

Right now, Bellingham Police are looking for a person of interest seen on surveillance pictures.

Police say this weekend, several businesses in downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven were targeted with Swastikas and the warning, "We are everywhere."

Businesses which were targeted include Brandywine Kitchen and Village Books where the stickers were posted in the business windows.

At Brandywine Kitchen, remnants of the Swastika sticker was plastered next to a newly painted 'Black Lives Matter' sign on the window.

Restaurant manager Alexis Sortor got to work and immediately scrubbed it off. "I was really mad, I was very angry," said Sortor. "I was very angry to come in and find that after having this beautiful message just having been painted. And then coming in the next day to see that, it's very frustrating."

Bellingham police released surveillance photos of the person of interest wearing a mask with a skull imprint. Police said the man is average build and height.



Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood released a statement saying, "We are actively investigating this as a potential hate crime. A swastika is a symbol of people perpetuating violence against other people. It has no place in a civilized society. Here in Bellingham we condemn it entirely. This appalling display of hate and intolerance does not reflect the values of our community. It is disturbing to know we have even a few people this filled with rage and whose fear and resentments blind them from a common sense of dignity and decency. This is a small number of people who are fearful of the better future that the rest of us envision."