Flyers about the people held by terrorists in Gaza were torn from a wall outside U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider’s office in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, he reported.
Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider
In what U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider called “a vile act of hate,” flyers about the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza were torn from a wall outside his office at the Capitol, shredded and left on the floor.
It was the second time in a week the Jewish congressman from the North suburbs was the target of antisemitism, his office reported Friday.
The display was vandalized Thursday, Schneider said in a news release. The Capitol complex was closed to the public Thursday because of Independence Day, but it was open to congressional staff and their guests.
“This was a shameful act on any day, but especially on July 4, our country’s Independence Day,” said Schneider, who serves parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry counties as the representative for the 10th District.
Schneider, a Highland Park Democrat, posted a photo of the vandalism on social media.
Capitol police have been notified of the vandalism. A police spokesman couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Last weekend, about 40 protesters — many reportedly masked — gathered outside Schneider’s home in the middle of the night and shouted what police called antisemitic and pro-Palestinian chants using loudspeakers. They also banged drums and waved banners before police broke up the protest. No one was arrested.
Neighborhood police patrols were increased, Highland Park officials said, and houses of worship were guarded after the demonstration.
In a statement on its website, Highland Park officials called the demonstration “frightening and offensive.”
“The City unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all acts of hate, standing in solidarity with our Jewish community,” the city’s statement read.
Schneider is an outspoken supporter of Israel but also a proponent of a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict in the region. He said these and other antisemitic protests “play directly into the hands of Hamas terrorists” rather than promoting peace in Israel and Gaza.