The Oakland Police Department is investigating the destruction of an 11-foot-tall menorah in Lake Merritt early Wednesday morning as a hate crime.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. after someone alerted authorities about the vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland police at (510) 238-3728. Police did not provide any additional information.
The vandalism comes during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and amid heightened tensions in the United States and internationally following Hamas's Oct. 7 invasion of Israel and Israel's subsequent and ongoing siege and invasion of the Gaza Strip, from where the Hamas attack was launched.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, on Wednesday afternoon condemned the destruction of the menorah as an act of cowardice.
“The menorah at Lake Merritt is a long-standing symbol and celebration of our East Bay Jewish community,” Skinner said. “Destroying a symbol of hope and light is a despicable act and is especially painful on this sixth day of Hanukkah.”
The menorah was smashed into pieces, thrown onto the sidewalk and into the water, and anti-Semitic graffiti was left at the base where it once stood.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area, via its X (formerly Twitter) account, noted that “The malicious destruction of a public menorah at Lake Merritt #Oakland, accompanied by hate-filled graffiti, is just the latest example of rampant anti-Semitism tearing apart the Bay Area. There is no room for debate; this cruel act unequivocally deserves condemnation.”
“This is devastating for the local Jewish community, which lights the Hanukkah menorahs as a public celebration of this holiday that commemorates Jewish survival,” he added, accompanied by a video showing what was left of the menorah.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao issued a statement condemning the act.
“I am outraged by this desecration and act of vandalism. The Lake Merritt menorah is an ancient and important symbol for Oakland’s Jewish community and it breaks my heart that it has been vandalized,” he said.
“I want to make it very clear that what happened is not just an attack on the Jewish community of Oakland, but on our entire city and our shared values. We stand together against hate, against anti-Semitism and against intolerance in all its forms. And when someone commits a crime like this, they are attacking the foundation of our city,” he continued.
“As Mayor, I know I speak for all Oaklanders when I say we condemn these acts. I have asked Interim Chief Allison to investigate this incident as a hate crime. My office is in close contact with Rabbi Labkowski and the Police Department, and we will continue to work collaboratively to hold those responsible and support our fellow Oaklanders,” she concluded.
By Wednesday evening, after the sun had set, hundreds of people of all backgrounds and religions gathered at the site and relit the menorah as a sign of unity.
With information from Bay City News.
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the CaliFornia State Library.
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