Police officials and Jewish organizations throughout the United States issued warnings ahead of an antisemitic "National Day of Hate" planned by White Supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups over the weekend.
According to media reports, white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups have called on supporters to pass antisemitic messaging with banners, stickers, filers, and graffiti. There are no known specific threats of violence, and Jewish groups do not expect widespread participation.
In a statement to media outlets, the hate groups stated, "Take a stand and expose the international clique of parasitic vermin that infest our nation."
"Make your voices heard loud and clear, that the one true enemy of the American people is the Jew."
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said it has not identified any specific threats in New York City against Jews Americans but would be stepping up security at houses of worship out of caution. The Department urged all New Yorkers to "remain vigilant" and any dangerous or suspicious activity.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) plans to monitor the ongoing situation and the different white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups who endorsed and shared plans for the "National Day of Hate."
According to Oren Segal, Vice President of the ADL's Center on Extremism, these hate groups were most likely to pass out antisemitic fliers, have small protests and engage in vandalism.
In a public statement, the ADL called on "our community and our allies to join together by creating a Shabbat of Peace."
"Using the hashtag #ShabbatOfPeaceNotHate, ADL is asking supporters and allies to join us in sharing a message of unity against antisemitism and hate by sharing with their online community that they will not back down and not be intimidated by extremists," the statement said.
Additionally, the Secure Community Network (SCN), a Jewish security group, issued bulletins to local communities ahead of the expected events on the weekend, saying it was tracking extremist groups' calls in early January.
According to the calls, a small neo-Nazi group declared a "day of MASS ANTI-SEMITIC ACTION" on the social media Telegram app.
The groups involved in the weekend even include the Goyim Defense League and National Socialist Movement.
According to the SCN, collaboration for this event is unorganized, and there have been no advertised locations for the activities.
The ADL noted that in addition to the antisemitic messages and activities happening this weekend, another antisemitic event is occurring in Chicago on Sunday by the Nation of Islam under Louis Farrakhan.
"It is completely unacceptable that the Jewish community or any community should be targeted by extremists spreading hate and alarm," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO, and National Director.
"The hate groups behind this effort hope we will be afraid and isolated. Instead, we are coming together in resolve and solidarity."
The ADL also calls on supporters and allies to "let Congress know that we urgently need to ensure that our synagogues and other houses of worship, schools, and community centers are made safer by increasing the funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Here is ADL's call for action now."
Experts familiar with white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups explain that in the past, many of them were pushed underground but have become more emboldened in recent years, staging rallies and broadcasting antisemitic statements and cartoons around the U.S. In many Jewish communities throughout America, schools, businesses, shops, synagogues, and homes have faced graffiti art of swastikas and antisemitic statements. In places like Florida and New York, Jews have been harassed outside synagogues and college campuses.
According to the ADL, there were 2,171 antisemitic incidents across America in 2021, with a 34 percent increase from 2020, making it the highest since the group began tracking several decades ago.
