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Manhattan Beach Schools, City, Police Issue Statement on School Vandalism

Jul 22, 2022 07:00PM ● By Mb News Staff
Representatives from the Manhattan Beach schools, the city of Manhattan Beach, and the Manhattan Beach Police Department on Friday released a joint statement on this week's vandalism at Meadows Elementary.

The statement read as follows: 

The City of Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD), and the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) are investigating a vandalism incident that occurred at Meadows Elementary School on Thursday, July 21.

On the morning of July 21, MBUSD staff discovered anti-Semitic, racist hate speech, and vulgar images painted across the campus at Meadows Elementary School. These hateful and disturbing images were promptly removed upon discovery. MBUSD officials are working in collaboration with the City and MBPD to identify and hold accountable anyone who participated in this incident.

“District leaders and school administrations have worked with teachers, students, and parent volunteers to create a culture of care and kindness on our school campuses and to ensure that everyone is included and welcome. We still have far to go toward these goals and we will persist. While we partner with the police and FBI to continue to investigate, it is important for our community to join together and focus on inclusion,” said MBUSD Board of Trustees President Sally Peel. “This may look like parents discussing inclusion around the dinner table, neighbors reaching out to express empathy and solidarity, friends speaking up if they see or hear something discriminatory, extended family members making a point of sharing their personal determination to be inclusive, and all of us leading with examples of calm and sincere efforts to build the loving homes and civil community we want.”

"Whoever did this, they need to find something better to do because the only thing they accomplished was to show the rest of us how stupid and intolerant they are,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano. “We're going to do all we can to find them and hold them accountable. Stupidity may not be a crime, but what they did is, and we should all be concerned. We've seen far too many things like this lately and it needs to stop. ‘Hate has no home in Manhattan Beach’ isn't just a slogan or a lawn sign - The city of Manhattan Beach welcomes and embraces people of all colors, faiths and backgrounds and we condemn all acts of racism, prejudice and violence."

“It’s deeply disturbing that this would happen at our school site. Our district prides itself in our Inclusion Stand Up Commitment, which actively promotes inclusivity and denounces hate, prejudice, violence, and bullying. MBUSD strives to stand up and create learning environments where everyone is respected and feels included. There is no room for hate here and it will absolutely not be tolerated in any form,” said MBUSD Superintendent Dr. John Bowes.

MBUSD and city officials continue to communicate and partner with local leaders throughout the community to address these hateful acts.

“MBPD is working diligently to identify the hate crime perpetrators. The offenders are subject to criminal charges of vandalism and/or acts of hate. At this time, we believe it has no correlation to the recent Bruce’s Beach ceremony,” said MBPD Public Information Officer Christopher Ineguez.

Anyone who has information on this incident is urged to call the MBPD’s anonymous tip line at (310) 802- 5171. Victims of hate incidents can also seek support through LA vs. Hate. This program includes a network of community agencies that provide prevention, advocacy, and support to victims of incidents of hate. To report hate, call 211.



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