(ANAHEIM, CA – 3/13/2019) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the placement of Nazi posters by vandals at Newport Harbor High School.
Ten flyers were found at the Newport Beach high school on Sunday, a week after Nazi imagery pictured at a teen party attended by Newport-Mesa Unified School District students was circulated over social media.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the flyers were approximately 8 by 11 inches, and some contained swastikas. The signs were subsequently taken down and the Newport Beach police were called to investigate.
In a statement, Newport Harbor Principal Sean Boulton wrote:
“Again we condemn all acts of anti-Semitism and hate in all their forms. We will continue to be vigilant with our stance, and the care of our students and staff.”
READ: Newport Harbor High vandalized with Nazi posters following outrage over students’ swastika party
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-me-nazi-posters-20190312-story.html
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“We continue to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and all other targeted minorities and against the actions of bigots who violate our nation’s long-standing principles of religious tolerance and inclusion. We support the administration, faculty, staff, parents and students of the Newport-Mesa Unified School District in their efforts to quickly address and educate the community about the harm of bigotry.”
Last week, the district received national attention when a series of photos, taken from Snapchat, showed several teens standing around a table with more than 80 red cups arranged in the shape of a swastika. The teens standing around the table were giving the “Heil Hitler” salute.
READ: Students seen in photo on social media flashing Nazi salute around swastika formed with cups
In response, the school district held community forums addressing anti-Semitism at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools and a unity rally and vigil were held in Costa Mesa. CAIR-LA representatives attend the forum at Newport Harbor, along with the rally and vigil.
Ayloush said CAIR and the American Muslim community have in the past expressed solidarity with Jewish, Christian, Native American, African-American and Sikh communities nationwide following acts of hate, threats, violence, vandalism, arson or bombings.
“Anti-Semitism, xenophobia and bigotry in any forms are unacceptable,” he said. “While the current trend of normalizing hate speech has emboldened bigots in their speech, as well as their actions, this type of behavior is unacceptable. We will continue to stand up and defend our fellow community members in the face of hatred. Hate will not prevail.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Eugene W. Fields, 714-776-1847 or efields@cair.com