3 minors charged after allegedly spray-painting racist, antisemitic graffiti at Pennsylvania playground

Three minors were charged with ethnic intimidation after allegedly spray-painting racist and antisemitic graffiti throughout a playground in Montgomery County over the weekend, police said Thursday.

Abington Township police were notified Saturday morning after several swastikas were found spray-painted on playground equipment and on the blacktop at the Glenside Weldon Playground. Police said a racist word was painted on the playground sign.

Police said toilet paper was found in a tree, and beer cans and trash were found in the grass.

The three minors were also charged with criminal mischief, police said.

"The Abington Township Police Department takes incidents involving hate and bias seriously," the police department said in a news release. "Acts of vandalism are unacceptable under any circumstances, and hateful messages targeting individuals or groups have no place in our community. Our department remains committed to protecting the safety and dignity of every person in Abington Township."

The arrests came as residents gathered for a community meeting to stand together against hate.

Hundreds packed the basketball court inside Glenside Weldon Park on Thursday night, steps away from where the racist vandalism happened.

"To our Black residents and our Jewish neighbors, the Abington Township Police Department sees you, we hear you and we recognize the deep pain and fear that these symbols inflict," Chief Pat Molloy said.

Speakers addressed the crowd, vowing not to let the incident divide neighbors.

"These moments remind me that Abington's excellence thrives on our diversity and respect for one another," Caitlyn Li, an Abington High School student council member, said.

"Something like this happens, and it's the work of three, four, five individuals, and then hundreds turn out … this actually represents the community, not that," Rabbi Elyse Wechterman said.