Symbols of Religious Hatred Scar the Streets of Downtown Mokena

The City of Mokena has released a statement condemning all incidents of racism and religious intolerance after downtown streets signs were vandalized with swastikas. A meeting was held with Will County Board members to discuss this issue within the Mokena community. Amanda Koch, a Board Member for the district of Frankfort said “These kinds of hate have no place in Will County or Illinois. Our country is a diverse one and we celebrate that diversity because it makes us stronger.”

Denise Winfrey, the Board Member for the District of Joliet, advocates for diversity and acceptance of all people regardless of their race or religion. She explains “hatred, whether of race, religion or sexual orientation, is dangerous. Our county will not tolerate it in any of our communities.”

This form of desecration has made national headlines several times this year when a group of vandals in France spray painted Jewish graves with swastikas. French families were left devastated by the discovery of a loved one’s grave being defaced. The swastika became a symbol of hatred in 1923 when Adolf Hitler released “Mein Kampf”, establishing it as a symbol the Nazi party and the “Aryan man.” It most strongly resembles neo-nazism and a hatred for those of the Jewish faith.

Although according to the Chicago Tribune, this graffiti is considered to be “juvenile”, it is appears to be a reoccurring problem. In 2018 a similar incident was reported in the downtown area. These hate symbols raise questions as to who is involved in the vandalism as well as the motive behind it.