Staten Island Jewish Woman Won’t Paint Over Anti-Semitic Graffiti
(JTA) — A Jewish woman in Staten Island, New York, is refusing to paint over the swastika and anti-Semitic slur spray painted on her garage.
The vandalism, discovered early Tuesday morning, includes a large swastika and the misspelled slur “Kyke.”
Debra Calabrese, whose husband is not Jewish, told the Staten Island Advance that she was “devastated” by the attack. “It’s disturbing. It’s a horrible thing,” she said.
She said police detectives on Tuesday collected evidence and then told her she could paint over the anti-Semitic messages.
But Calabrese said she intends to leave the graffiti there, so that everyone can witness it.
“I just want people to see it. The people driving by can’t believe it. Nobody can,” Calabrese told the Advance. She has lived in the house for 14 years.
