WAYLAND, MASS. (WHDH) - People rallied in support of the Jewish community in Wayland after a public pool was hit by hate.
Investigators said a swastika was found painted on the pool near the town’s high school Wednesday. It was quickly painted over, but officials are worried that students may have seen it, given the location’s proximity to that school.
On Thursday, local residents, students, town officials, and representatives gathered to denounce antisemitism.
“This doesn’t belong anywhere, whether it’s in Wayland or anywhere,” said Massachusetts State Rep. David Linsky.
Many held signs with phrases such as “Spread Love, Not Hate” and “United Against Antisemitism.”
“It continues to surprise me that it’s happening in this town. This is not a town that I associate with hate in any way,” said Beth Martens, who lives in Wayland. “The fact that somebody can come into town — this may not even be someone from Wayland — come into town and cause my neighbors pain and frighten their kids, it makes me furious.”
Several children and their parents attended the rally together, promoting tolerance and kindness after the act of hate.
“This happens too much in our town. One happened last year and the year before,” said Jake Ryan, a local eighth-grade student.
School officials are reaching out to students who may have been affected by the vandalism.
“Really painful for our students to enter school and see a symbol of hate and antisemitism,” Wayland Public Schools Superintendent David Fleishman said. “We support students and staff. Our high school principal sent a message right away to them, saying, ‘We support you.'”
Sarah Marchione said she was thankful her son did not see the symbol.
“He didn’t see it, I’m glad that he didn’t see it. I feel awful for everybody who did see it and it’s just not something we support in this town at all,” she said.
Wayland experienced another antisemitic incident in 2013, when someone painted hateful symbols on a roadway.
“We are deeply saddened and angered to hear of this incident,” town officials said in a statement. “This hateful act does not reflect Wayland’s values and will not be tolerated in our Town.”
Rabbi Rebecca Weinstein said she felt the rally brought a sense of unity to the town.
“It really makes me feel like we’re going to move forward from this. It makes me feel like our community is going to heal. We’re going to come together, we’re going to learn, we’re going to repair, and I’m praying that this is going to be the last incident of its kind,” Weinstein said.
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