While the nation continues to mourn those killed on Saturday at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Fresno is dealing with a new case of anti-Semitic vandalism.
A section of street artwork was defaced with anti-Jewish symbols.
It’s mostly covered now, but you can see some of the pink paint that was used to deface a sprawling piece of artwork on the side of a building on H Street in Downtown Fresno.
Two swastikas were surrounded by a circle with lines drawn through them, and some unknown word in the middle.
“They’re looking to get attention,” Fresno resident Robert Whiseant said. “And that’s really what they want is that attention and to spark and provoke people’s emotions in a negative way.”
Whiseant works for Cloud 9 Productions, a sound, lighting, and stage company.
They welcome artists to create colorful and tasteful pieces at events and on the property.
The mural has been up for about three months.
Whiseant was confused when he saw the vandalism.
He noticed the swastika was inverted from the Nazi Germany symbol, and he also knows the swastika, including this version, hasn’t always been associated with hate.
In fact, the Anti-Defamation League says the swastika is a common symbol across Asia, used by Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of other religions, where it is often associated with good fortune.
Still, Whiseant believes the intent here was derogatory in nature, and possibly even directed at this specific piece of artwork–no other buildings in the area were hit.
“I just don’t understand why anyone would go out of their way to spread more hate,” Whiseant said.
But this won’t stop them from bringing in Fresno’s best artists who devote their time, money, and energy to make downtown a more vibrant place.
He says they deserve all of the attention–not the vandals.
“If we can find the original artist, then I would love to come and fix his piece so we can keep his piece up, but if that isn’t going to happen, then well replace the piece,” Whiseant said.