Graffiti Outside Restaurant – Is It a Hate Crime?
Today, the owners of Schnitzel Haus Restaurant at 7319 5th Avenue saw their outdoor dining area was vandalized. Their camera recorded three individuals defacing their property.
Normally, we don’t want to give graffiti attention. The people who do it are trying to get people’s attention or just bored kids and don’t care if they are destroying property. (Like this)
While most of this looks like bad graffiti of some bored individuals. there are some aspects that could make this a hate crime.
The word “hate” does not mean rage or dislike, but a bias against people or groups.
This is a German restaurant that was decorated with a German and Russian flag bunting that was defaced by graffiti. In the video, it clearer to see the graffiti on the flags. (See here) Was this place chosen or did the individuals do several businesses along 5th Avenue?
Brian Fox started the South Brooklyn Coalition to Save Small Businesses. Fox visited the restaurant to support the owners. They contacted the police’s, NYPD hate crimes unit.
Fox said there is video of this perps doing this so that should help the police. In a few days maybe they will release the video too.
On the wall was written: “Go to hell in step in Ali’s Arms.” (Or) in my arms. While this is written in English – what does “in step” mean in this instance?
On another wall, someone wrote: “It’s Me Look at her” near a picture of a woman drinking beer in the photo. Arrows were drawn to point to the woman drinking alcohol. An evil eye is over the woman’s photo. The word Ali was written near the photo a few times on the wall.
There are also this strange symbol:
Brian Fox released this message about the incident. He also called for current politicians to take action.
While at least one of the people involved in this is hateful, another appears to be a teenage girl. She drew a big heart and wasn’t feeling too hateful.
Is it possible to charge one of the individuals for hate and not the others?
We wish there was more support for local businesses owners. Past leaders visited businesses and offered their support when incidents came up.
Why hasn’t Senator Gounardes and Councilman Brannan stopped in and assisted these owners? While it isn’t possible to paint over this, the politicians should have brought some tarps to cover over the graffiti while this is being investigated.
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Hugs,
marlene
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