White supremacist messaging was found in several Pittsburgh neighborhoods in the lead-up to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial and after testimony began on Tuesday.
Most recently, about 15 stickers were discovered on utility poles and other surfaces in Wightman Park in Squirrel Hill, according to Shawn Brokos, director of community security for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.
Flyers and stickers were also found in separate incidents in both Squirrel Hill and Oakland, she said.
“They are essentially saying that white people are the superior race,” Brokos said. “The rhetoric is akin to the Holocaust, but it is equal-opportunity hate, so anyone who is non-white is essentially being targeted by the flyers and stickers.”
Those responsible, she said, are organizations using the trial as a means to attract attention to their cause.
At least 20 people reported finding the flyers or stickers.
“The scope was very targeted,” Brokos said, “maybe particular blocks, not a large swatch of area but certainly targeted at different areas.”
Despite the messages of hate and increased online chatter, Brokos said there are no known immediate threats to the community, and both federation and law enforcement agencies are working diligently and proactively to mitigate any potential danger.
All suspicious or antisemitic activity, including flyers and stickers, should be reported to law enforcement and the federation, Brokos said. Photos of the messages found should be included in the report before being removed.
Incidents can be reported online at jewishpgh.org/form/incident-report.
“If they go to that website, as much detail that can be provided is really helpful to us,” Brokos said.
Brokos anticipates the messages will continue throughout the span of the trial.
“I want to assure the community that we’re aware of the people behind this and we’re monitoring it carefully,” she said.
David Rullo writes for the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle, where this story first appeared. This story is part of ongoing coverage of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial by the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle and the Pittsburgh Union Progress in a collaboration supported by funding from the Pittsburgh Media Partnership.
