Statement from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Council, and the Jewish Community Relations Council on Antisemitic Vandalism in Montgomery County

Per Montgomery County:
This morning, hateful, antisemitic flyers referencing the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and featuring white supremacist tags, were posted on a bus stop in the heart of the Kemp Mill Orthodox Jewish Community at the corner of Arcola Avenue and Lamberton Streets in Kemp Mill. We are shocked and outraged at this blatant attempt to intimidate and put fear into our Jewish community throughout our County and region. The Montgomery County Police Department is investigating this incident and they are working to determine who was behind this horrible act. It is our hope that the people who are responsible for this act are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

There is no place for hate in Montgomery County and our community will not tolerate any attempts like this to intimidate religious, racial, ethnic, or minority group in our County. We are committed to creating a community of inclusion and respect. Today, we stand united with our Jewish residents, particularly our local Holocaust survivors, their children, and grandchildren.

In fact, we are the only local jurisdiction in the region that provides grant money to nonprofit entities and houses of worship to protect their members and congregants. Following last month’s hate crimes and tragedies in Buffalo and at an Asian American church in Southern California, faith and government leaders came together to increase our communication and vigilance in our County. In response to today’s incident, we will be meeting with members of the Kemp Mill Jewish Community to discuss safety and security and emphasize that our County stands united against hate.

Moments like these test our vigilance as a community, but we have shown time and time again that Montgomery County embraces its diversity and we stand up to those that try to divide us with hateful acts. We stand united and proud of the people who make this County a great place. Hate will never win in Montgomery County.

Statement by Ron Halber, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington

We were disturbed this morning to hear about two heinous acts of antisemitism in Kemp Mill, home to a large Orthodox Jewish community. We appreciate the County Executive’s immediate outreach to the Jewish community and the significant response by law enforcement to identify the perpetrators and reassure our community that security is of utmost concern. We are fortunate to live in a diverse County that has zero tolerance for antisemitism and all forms of hatred.