Rep. Shri Thanedar’s community center in Detroit vandalized with ‘Free Palestine’ message

(CBS DETROIT) – U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar said Monday his Detroit community center was vandalized.

Photos obtained by CBS News Detroit from Thanedar show a red “X” drawn on Thanedar’s face and the words “racist,” “ceasefire and “Free Palestine” painted on the building.

A police report has been filed, according to a spokesperson from Thanedar’s office.

In a statement, Thanedar said the vandalism “is not an isolated incident, nor is it a form of productive communication.”

“These actions only create fear and division in a time that depends on open conversation and discourse,” he said. “In the past, I have encountered other unproductive forms of protest. One that turned violent at a Christmas party last December and another consisting of individuals protesting at my home at 3 a.m. morning These incidents ended with people in the hospital and my loved ones not feeling safe in their own rooms.

“In this case, a place designed to bring our community together has been vandalized in a way that seeks to divide it.”

Thanedar expressed support for Israel during the war against Hamas.

In December 2023, Thanedar said one of his social media accounts was hacked in connection with anti-Israeli posts. The hacker’s message has since been deleted.

In response to the hack, he shared his official statement on Israel, in which he said that “the United States’ steadfast commitment to Israel’s security is grounded in shared values ​​and a long-standing partnership.” and that he hopes the conflict will end soon.