An Anti-Semitic Flyer Posted in the City of West Hollywood

An Anti-Semitic flyer was posted in West Hollywood last Thursday, February 10, 2022. The poster fashioned after Nazi propaganda, was found on an electrical box across the street from the Pacific Design Center on Melrose Avenue, east of San Vicente Boulevard. According to a source, it was torn down the following day, but it was not removed completely as of Saturday night.

The recent anti-Semitic flyer in WeHo is similar to a slew of hate messages that appeared in Beverly Hills, the Fairfax District and other parts of Los Angeles in December, 2021. The poster features an A and a V forming the Star of David with the words “Anti Vaxxer” over it, suggesting a connection between Jewish people and those who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The poster includes a phone number that goes directly to The Abbey Food & Bar in WeHo. There is also a sticker that plays on the Obey Giant sticker propaganda, only instead “Obey,” it reads “comply” and Andre the Giant is wearing a face mask.

“The City of West Hollywood has heard from community members concerned about anti-Semitic materials and speech,” read an official statement by the City of West Hollywood in response to the wave of anti semitic messaging in the Los Angeles area back in December. “This includes images of posters shared on social media regarding COVID-19 vaccination status that feature holocaust-related imagery. While there are no specific reports about hate materials or posters placed in West Hollywood, such a demonstration of hate is deeply troubling to our community. Hate has no place in the City of West Hollywood.”

This most recent sign of anti-semitism comes in the heels of a recent direction given to City Staff by the West Hollywood City Council to partner with representatives of the Jewish community, as well as public safety personnel, to address community safety concerns stemming from recent anti-Semitic incidents in the region.

Initiated by council member Lindsey Horvath, the item directs staff, in conjunction with city community partners, to develop an action plan on a list of measures outlined in a report and provide the action plan to other municipalities as a model for local government support of the Jewish community.

Staff will then share the Jewish Community Safety Plan with relevant organizations including the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles and well as Israeli-American Civic Action Network, Jewish Federation Los Angeles, American Jewish Committee Los Angeles, Anti-Defamation League Los Angeles, Israeli American Council Los Angeles, and Combat Anti-Semitism.

“@WeHoCity has heard reports of anti-Semitic materials being posted,” West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister tweeted back in December. “If you see something, call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310) 855-8850 and, in an emergency, always call 911. The City will immediately remove hate materials or vandalism reported to @WHDLASD.”