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Austin leaders expressed their concerns after an anti-Semitic sign was hung over Mopac on Saturday. (Oren Segal/Twitter)
Shalom Austin and city leaders have vocalized concerns after an anti-Semitic banner reading "Vax the Jews" was placed over Mopac Saturday afternoon.
The sign, which is believed to be the work of Jon Minadeo II of the neo-nazi group labeled the "Goyim Defense League," was flanked by a small group of protestors above the Far West overpass in Central Austin. The display was located near Shalom Austin, a community center that says it is a "hub for Jewish life in Central Texas."
"We understand this is extremely upsetting and unsettling," Shalom Austin said in a letter Saturday. "We are always vigilant in monitoring anti-Semitic groups and work closely with law enforcement to share information about their activities."
Austin police officers were made aware of the sign and reported to the scene Saturday afternoon. The department came under fire after photos circulated of an APD officer fist-bumping a protester. Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon released a statement that the photos were taken out of context and that the officer got a protester to comply with his requests to ensure the scene remained safe. The protester then requested a handshake to which the officer opted for a fist bump citing COVID-19 safety protocols.
"After enduring a barrage of hate speech and personal insults being hurled at them, officers who responded to the scene calmly and professionally carried out their duty to keep drivers on MoPac, bystanders and protesters safe while ensuring that the incident did not escalate and no laws were being broken."
The sign is not believed to be connected to racist and Anti-Semitic vandalism that was painted on student parking spaces at Anderson High School, according to the group.
Shalom Austin said that the "Goyim Defense League" appears to have plans for more activities in the area in the coming days. The neo-nazi group is known for conducting anti-Semitic protests, harassing Jewish organizations and spreading anti-Semitic propaganda on social media. In 2019, the group dressed as Hasidic Jews and said "they were 'sorry' that Jews lied about the Holocaust and were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks," according to The Jerusalem Post. They have been linked to similar signs above overpasses in California, Colorado and Florida.
City leaders, including Chacon, Mayor Steve Adler and City Council members Greg Casar and Alison Alter spoke out about the attacks.
"Let's be clear. Hate and bigotry have absolutely no place in our community and certainly are not welcome in our police department," Chacon said. "Views shared by demonstrators during a protest action over the weekend were abhorrent and do not reflect our values."
"I am heartbroken to see antisemitic hatred in Austin, a welcoming and respectful place. Hatred of any kind has no place in our city. If you see or hear it, you should report it to ADL," Adler said on Twitter.
I am heartbroken to see antisemitic hatred in Austin, a welcoming and respectful place. Hatred of any kind has no place in our city. If you see or hear it, you should report it to @ADL at https://t.co/baFmvEIpjD
— Mayor Adler | Get vaccinated! (@MayorAdler) October 24, 2021
Shalom Austin said that the Austin Police Department will continue to monitor the situation and advise those who may see the group to not interact with protestors.
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Police have caught the suspect behind three robberies in North Austin. (APD)
The Austin Police Department has arrested the man suspected to be behind a series of robberies that were sexual in nature.
The suspect, who was only identified by police as a 22-year-old Hispanic man, was arrested by police on Thursday with one account of aggravated robbery, but more charges are expected to be made. The suspect's identity has not been revealed by police in order to not taint any current investigations, police said in a press conference. Little details were released on how police identified the suspect, but APD told the media that the community played a large role in capturing him.
The man is believed to be behind a series of robberies in North Austin within a 30-day period.
Here's a breakdown of the cases:
1. At 7:56 a.m. on Sept. 22 at the 1600 block of Rutland Drive, a woman was walking alone and returning from her child's school when a suspect walking by inappropriately touched her. The suspect then grabbed her by the arm, threatened her with a knife and demanded "her property."
2. At 8:10 a.m. on Oct. 11 at 1700 block of Colony Creek Drive, a woman was walking to her child's school when a man approached her with a knife and then demanded her personal items. The suspect then said he would return the items in return for sex.
3. At 11:03 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the 9300 block of Northgate Boulevard, a woman was with her child in the laundry room of an apartment complex when a man walked in performing a sexual act. The suspect demanded personal items from the victim, threatening to hurt the victim and take her child.
Police are encouraging other potential victims to come forward.
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(Pixabay)
Austin police have identified the two adults and one child that were killed in a double murder-suicide in southeast Austin.
On Monday, police received a concerned call from a family member of one of the victims who said they had not heard from them. When visiting the home on the 5800 block of Abby Ann Lane on Monday night, there was no answer to the police's knocks on the door.
Police saw a body on the floor and went into the home. Police identified the two victims as Jennifer Robertson, 36 years old, and James Robertson, 6 years old, with fatal gunshot wounds. A third body on the scene was identified Darus Robertson, 36 years old, who was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
This case is being investigated as a double murder-suicide.
Police are asking those with any information on the case to come forward, utilizing the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app.
This is the 70th and 71st homicide of the year.
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(Pixabay)
The Austin Police Department is searching for a man who is believed to be behind a series of robberies that is "sexual in nature and is escalating."
Three robbery cases that took place in North Austin within a 30-day period are being investigated by police, who report the victims all had similar descriptions for suspects in the case. The suspect is described as a 20-25-year-old Spanish-speaking Hispanic man, approximately 5'3, thin build, recently shaved with black hair. Police say he is known to typically wear athletic clothing and used a knife on each of the victims.
Here's a breakdown of the cases:
1. At 7:56 a.m. on Sept. 22 at the 1600 block of Rutland Drive, a woman was walking alone and returning from her child's school when a suspect walking by inappropriately touched her. The suspect then grabbed her by the arm, threatened her with a knife and demanded "her property."
2. At 8:10 a.m. on Oct. 11 at 1700 block of Colony Creek Drive, a woman was walking to her child's school when a man approached her with a knife and then demanded her personal items. The suspect then said he would return the items in return for sex.
3. At 11:03 a.m. on Oct. 13 at the 9300 block of Northgate Boulevard, a woman was with her child in the laundry room of an apartment complex when a man walked in performing a sexual act. The suspect demanded personal items from the victim, threatening to hurt the victim and take her child.
Police cautioned the public to walk without earbuds, stay alert and report suspicious activity to the police.
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