West Palm Beach city leaders pass new ordinance targeting antisemitism
City leaders in West Palm Beach took a final vote on a new rule to crack down on recent acts targeting antisemitism.
The City Commission approved the ordinance Monday night making it a criminal offense to project offensive images or messages onto buildings. Violators could face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500, the maximum punishment allowed by a city ordinance.
The ordinance was crafted by the Mayor's staff after a swastika was projected onto the AT&T building in downtown two months ago. Although the responsible parties were identified, they could not be arrested because technically, no crime had been committed.
Now approved, the ordinance would change that, as well as making it easier for building owners to sue violators in civil court.
Related: More antisemitic packets thrown in West Palm Beach
This also comes after three men in a rented U-Haul truck threw hundreds of packets containing antisemitic flyers around the Flamingo Parks neighborhood Saturday.
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