- April 19, 2024
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from: Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington and Police Chief Jesse Godfrey
On Monday, February 21, 2022, a handful of neighbors in Ormond Beach were shocked to find plastic sandwich bags at their doorsteps filled with hateful antisemitic messaging. Delivered randomly along streets, this action is the result of a small, fringe extremist group that targets Jewish communities as well as other minority groups throughout the nation. Many cities across the country were also hit with identical antisemitic messaging.
As the mayor of Ormond Beach and the police chief, we are steadfast in our commitment to maintain a safe and inclusive community for all residents. We must not be afraid to condemn acts of hatred wherever and whenever we see them in our communities.
When antisemitic hate flyers are being distributed in our city as part of a national hate campaign, we have a duty to stand up and say that this is not representative of the Ormond Beach we know and love. These outliers are not the citizens we all pride ourselves in being here in Ormond Beach and we remain strong in support of inclusion, antiracism, and the condemnation of all forms of bigotry and hatred. All Ormond Beach residents, including members of our thriving and vibrant Jewish community, have the right to practice their religion and live their lives free from fear. Any form of anti-Semitism, religious persecution or intolerance is abhorrent and opposed to the values of our city. We have always and will always defend the rule of law, civil liberties, and equal justice for all.
Anyone who has information or camera footage of this hate-incident is asked to contact the Ormond Beach Police Department Case Agent, Corporal Jeremy Smith at (386) 676-3535 or email [email protected].
