Swastikas found drawn at Reading Memorial High School

READING, Mass. — Officials are investigating two incidents of swastikas drawn in the Reading Memorial High School in the month of May.

On May 4, students saw a swastika drawn in blue marker on a classroom floor. On May 24, police were called to the school again after a swastika was found drawn on a wall of a bathroom.

Both incidents are under investigation.

"As leaders in the Town of Reading, we are committed to ridding our community of hate and hateful speech. That means we need to come together and have uncomfortable discussions about how we treat each other and what words and symbols really mean. Does the average teenager truly understand the hate and violence associated with a swastika? Perhaps not, but it is incumbent upon us to teach them,” said Police Chief Mark Segalla.

The Town of Reading has an existing relationship with the New England Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League and says it will be using those resources in response to these incidents. The town has also reached out to local clergy, including an area rabbi, priest, minister, and other members of the religious community to lead a public forum in the near future.

"We cannot simply write these acts off as isolated incidents. When we ignore hate, it grows. And while we have reached out to our police department to investigate these incidents, it is not enough for us to identify and punish those responsible. As a school district, we accept that we have a responsibility to dig deeper and teach our children about the topics of hate, racism, and fear. We will continue to use these situations as teachable moments for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. John Doherty.

Just recently, a swastika was found on the wall of a men’s bathroom at Lexington High School. That incident is also under investigation.

Cox Media Group