Denver, CO, February 21, 2014 … Responding to reports of anti-Obama graffiti in south central Denver that includes a swastika inside the letter “O” of “Obama,” Scott L. Levin, Mountain States Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, issued the following statement:

“We condemn this graffiti. Regardless of one’s political views, the swastika is widely recognized as a powerful visual symbol of hate, similar in intent and emotional impact to the burning of a cross. The defacing of property with this hate symbol is more than an insult to the President or to African-Americans – it is an attack on the decency of all Coloradans, and indeed all Americans.  Additionally, to liken President Obama – or any political leader – to the Nazis is shamefully inappropriate and serves to water down the memory of the terror the Nazis inflicted on six million Jews and seven million others. We hope Americans across the political spectrum will come together to express outrage at this act.

 

“ADL applauds Denver law enforcement’s quick and responsive work. If officials find that this was a bias-motivated crime, we urge them to prosecute this crime to the full extent permitted under Colorado’s hate crimes law.”