Interfaith Response to Local Vandalism

On Mar. 16, 2019, the day after shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, an Arlington resident posted a picture to Facebook of  graffiti scrawled in Magnolia Park, East Arlington. The seemingly nonsensical graffiti was of a viral meme (“subtopewdiepie or else”), which the NZ shooter had referenced right before the attack.

As this Vox article explains, the use of these specific memes aims to divert attention from the anti-Muslim ideology behind the killings while knowing that supporters of the hateful ideology will immediately understand the meaning. These words are deeply racist, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic.

An interfaith response is being planned for 4 p.m. at Magnolia Park on Sun. Apr. 7. Show your solidarity.