Swastikas were discovered at Clarkstown South High School. Here's what we know

WEST NYACK − Swastikas, the Nazi symbol of hate and antisemitism, were found at Clarkstown South High School, authorities said Thursday.

A swastika was found drawn on a wall near the exit to a classroom used by a Jewish Cultural Club with words cursing the class, a Clarkstown police report states. A second swastika was found on a bulletin board in the rear of the classroom.

And school district officials, in a letter to families, said Thursday another swastika was found on the wall of a gym locker room.

The teacher became aware of one swastika on March 13, then a student informed the teacher of noticing the graffiti a week earlier. The teacher then searched the classroom and found another swastika drawn on the bulletin board, the police report states.

The police report described the graffiti as a hate crime and criminal mischief. The report noted the classroom had been marked in 2020 with a swastika, but police doubt the same person did the recent graffiti.

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Clarkstown police investigating

The police report stated the investigation is complicated by a lack of cameras in the classroom and no legitimate time frame for when the markings were made. The hallway surveillance didn't seem to offer any valuable information, the report stated.

Still, the three swastikas led Clarkstown school officials to send a letter to thousands of district families about the incidents. The letter encourages parents to reinforce to their children the need to respect others.

The letter stated that "a swastika is a symbol of hatred, intolerance, and anti-Semitism − and it has no place in the Clarkstown Central School District."

"While these despicable acts may have defaced our physical campus, this will not deter us from fostering a more inclusive, empathetic, and respectful school community," the letter read.

Antisemitic incidents, bigotry increasing

The findings of the hate symbol added to incidents of religious and racial bigotry that have occurred in Rockland, across the region and in New York City. Rockland boasts one of the region's largest Jewish populations.

Ari Rosenblum, CEO of the Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland, said families told the agency about the swastikas, and federation officials are looking to work with residents and the school district on an effective educational response.

"Any antisemitic incident is abhorrent," Rosenblum said. "We're willing to work with people on bringing an effective response and education. We're looking to engage with the school district."

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s New York/New Jersey chapter, 23 antisemitic incidents were reported in Rockland County in 2022. The number represents an 8% increase over the previous year. The incidents include graffiti writing and attacks on Orthodox Jews walking in Ramapo.

Antisemitic incidents on school campuses, including graffiti like swastikas, jumped 49% in the New York-New Jersey region between 2021 and 2022, the ADL reported.

Last year, some Pearl River students became involved in several racist and bigoted incidents at sporting events involving Nyack students and athletes. And at Pearl River High School, a Gay-Straight-Trans Alliance billboard was vandalized twice and LGBTQ symbols were found destroyed in a teacher's classroom.

Clarkstown School District reaches out to the community

The Clarkstown School District letter described the incidents and informed families that the Clarkstown police were notified and are investigating. The police have a resource officer assigned to the high school. Superintendent Marc Baiocco and Principal Debra Tarantino signed the letter.

Superinrendent of Schools, Marc P. Baiocco talks about safety in schools at the Clarkstown Central School District offices in New City on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
Superinrendent of Schools, Marc P. Baiocco talks about safety in schools at the Clarkstown Central School District offices in New City on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

The posting of hate graffiti is forbidden in the district's code of conduct for students.

The school district's "job is to educate students about the impact words, symbols, and actions may have on others," the officials wrote. "In some cases, hateful gestures like these may constitute a crime, and to the extent possible, Clarkstown police are included."

School officials spoke with each class affected to ensure the administration’s commitment to providing a safe learning environment and to remind students to say something to a staff member if they should witness intolerance. Students and families can anonymously report hateful actions or behaviors. Click here to download the app for Anonymous Alerts.

The district's "World of Difference Peer Leaders' teach their fellow students how “attitudes and beliefs affect actions, and that each of us can have an impact on others, and ultimately on the world in which we live.”

"We encourage parents and guardians to have a conversation with their children so that our students learn to recognize hate and discrimination for what it is," the letter read.

The use of swastikas was condemned by County Executive Ed Day and Human Rights Commissioner Spencer Chiimbwe.

“I am appalled and angered by this abhorrent vandalism once again surfacing in our beautiful county," Day said. "Words matter and hateful language such as this is an insult to the people of Rockland.”

Day said he was confident school officials will get to the bottom of whoever drew the hate symbol.

They said residents should continue to call 911 in an emergency but also can report hate and bias incidents to the Commission on Human Rights for investigation by calling 845-364-3886.

“We condemn antisemitism or any act or attack that targets an individual or group because of who they are, what they look like, or how they identify," Chiimbwe said. "While these incidents do not always violate the law, they should always be reported for investigation.”

Rockland Legislature Vice Chair Aney Paul, D-Clarkstown, said she and 50 people just discussed community safety and hate crimes to send a message that swastikas and other bigoted behavior are unacceptable.

“I am angered and disappointed to learn that one or more people have taken it upon themselves to spread not only hate but fear in one of the places where all youth should feel safe, their school," Paul said in a statement. "Imagine how you would feel if you were Jewish and had to return to the school, maybe even the classroom, where these antisemitic symbols of hate were found."

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Swastikas found drawn at Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack