An article published on April 26 questioned whether swastikas were present in the original graffiti photos, which were partially obstructed. Upon review of unobstructed images provided by Anniejump Vicente, it is now clear that swastikas did appear at multiple locations across West Hollywood.
Over the past week, Nazi swastikas have been spray-painted across our city — on sidewalks, business windows, street signs, and walls. These repulsive markings are intended to terrorize vulnerable members of our community, and they have appeared just in time for a toxic media spectacle planned this Sunday, April 27, right here in West Hollywood.
This spectacle is being staged by a ragtag crew of far-right agitators, including former Florida Congressmember Matt Gaetz. A failed candidate for attorney general, Gaetz is now better known for his far-right talk show, his frequent targeting of women and LGBTQ+ people with dehumanizing, fascist rhetoric, and a history of spreading antisemitic and white supremacist tropes like the so-called Great Replacement Theory.
The event planned for Sunday is, essentially, a hate rally. It threatens our community, especially its most vulnerable members. We cannot sit passively while this kind of bigotry attempts to pass as “culture” — and we absolutely cannot pretend that an event designed to incite hate crimes is compatible with West Hollywood’s vision of a sanctuary city for LGBTQ+ people and other minorities.
Yet at the last City Council meeting, former Councilmember Steve Martin argued that we should be “open to everyone” and “hear what they have to say” regarding the weekend’s rally. What a disappointing, dangerous take. Being a sanctuary city must mean standing against hate, not inviting it to speak.
If you oppose fascism, you are already an antifascist. Join us this Sunday at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Robertson Boulevard, immediately across from The Abbey. Show them that their poison is not welcome here — and that this city will not be silent.
Evil prevails when good people do nothing.
Anniejump Vicente
Looks like the Kanye West crew !
Technically those are backwards. I know it doesn’t matter however it could be argued. I personally don’t condone the imagery. I’m just saying.
What is your rationale for connecting these markings to the pro Trump rally? If anything ,this administration is more supportive of Israel/zionism, going so far as to target anti-Zionist activist foreign students for deportation.
All the same, it seems the rally came and went without incident, save for a few Trump flags being vandalized by counter protestors.
Steve Martin was correct to remind all sides of the foundational principle of freedom of speech.
Oh, We (the Royal We) are SO there! I do hate ~90% give or take all Zombie Humans Equally, but we do verrry ?THOSE Zombies who LOVE feeding out Top Level Lies, ??
What proof do you have of who is doing this type of spray painting? Are you sure Gaetz is personally involved or is somehow tied to it? Can you support your statements with some facts?
Just making certain we do not act on rumor, speculation or guesses. We all need the facts, first.