Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
‘Hate speech vandalism’ found at Montgomery County cemeteries
Police investigating incidents at gravesites in Conshohocken, Plymouth & Whitemarsh townships
Graves at several cemeteries in Montgomery County were vandalized earlier this week with swastikas painted on markers, police said.
The impacted cemeteries included St. Benedict’s in Plymouth Township, Old St. Matthew’s in Conshohocken and St. Matthew’s in Whitemarsh Township. It’s unclear how many graves were vandalized.
“We are deeply saddened by the hateful actions committed against our community’s loved ones, and the desecration of such sacred sites,” Plymouth Township Police Chief John Myrsiades said in a statement.
In a post on Conshohocken Mayor Yaniv Aronson’s Facebook page, Aronson called the acts committed “hate speech vandalism.” Along with graves, “landmarks” were also desecrated, according to Aronson.
A joint statement addressing the incidents was posted Thursday morning. Along with Aronson, Conshohocken Borough Council
President Colleen Leonard, Plymouth Township Council Chairman Chris Manero and Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Laura Boyle Nester signed their names.
“Our three municipalities have zero tolerance for bigotry, racism, antisemitism and xenophobia. The police departments in our municipalities are in a coordinated investigation and these cowards, when caught, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” local elected officials said in a statement, adding that “we remain proud of the diversity and multiculturalism in our community, an attack on any of our neighbors is an attack on all of us.”
Montgomery County Office of Veterans Affairs Director Dennis Miller alerted county officials to the incident, according to Communications Director Kelly Cofrancisco as the cemeteries house the graves of 1,347 veterans.
In a statement released Friday morning, a county spokesperson noted that “many American flags were trampled and flag holders were broken during the incident.”
Anyone in need of a replacement or flag holder should fill out an application online or call the department at 610-278-3285 for more information. Items can be picked up at the Human Services Center, located at 1430 DeKalb St., in Norristown.
Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh and Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. also reacted to
the incidents with a public statement Friday.
“We are shocked by this despicable act of cowardice on our community where symbols of hate desecrated graves and monuments,” Arkoosh and Lawrence said in a written statement. “We denounce these acts of vandalism and stand in solidarity with our residents and communities affected by this horrific act. There is no room for hate of any kind in Montgomery County and we will continue to stand against those who wish to inflict harm on our community.”
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale told MediaNews Group Friday afternoon that “it’s heartbreaking that cemeteries are being desecrated in Montgomery County. These acts of hate and vandalism are further evidence that respect for the deceased, including fallen war heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice, is eroding by the day.”
Anyone with information should contact the Plymouth Township Police Department’s detective division by phone at 610279-1901 or email tips@ plymouthtownship.org.
“The Plymouth, Whitemarsh and Conshohocken communities have, time and again, demonstrated their resolve against such hatred; and we pledge our very best efforts in finding those responsible for these monstrous acts,” Myrsiades said.