In Newton, a homeowner’s fence, adorned with posters of Israeli hostages, was defaced in the dark of night. The local police are now delving into this act of vandalism, treating it as a hate crime.
As the Kosowski family greeted the day on Sunday morning, they were met with a distressing sight. The faces of Israeli hostages that adorned their fence were obscured with spray paint or scratched off. Additionally, a message stating “Free Gaza” was spray-painted over a sign expressing the family’s solidarity with Israel.
Jeff Kosowski reflected on the vandals’ actions, noting the deliberate destruction of each poster. “They had to confront each image as they erased them, effectively wiping them out of existence once more,” he said.
This display on Homer Street served as a poignant reminder of the violence that erupted last October when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel. “We felt a deep connection with the plight of the hostages. Creating this display was our way of raising awareness, both for ourselves and the community,” Jeff Kosowski shared.
The display, which had been in place for several months, received backing from neighbors and local officials alike. In a show of support, the mayor of Newton visited the Kosowski family on Sunday, assuring them that efforts were underway to apprehend the culprits.
Jeff Kosowski shared how the community personally felt the impact of this vandalism. Newton’s Police Chief, John Carmichael, issued a statement condemning the act. “We denounce such behavior. Our community has zero tolerance for such biased and hateful acts,” he stated.
Miriam Kosowski expressed her concerns about the implications of such dehumanizing acts. “It’s frightening to think that someone capable of dehumanizing a child could extend that disregard to all of us. This mindset is a precursor to physical violence,” she said.
For the Kosowski family, catching the perpetrator(s) might bring some closure, but the incident highlights a larger issue. “These are human beings,” Miriam Kosowski emphasized. The family mentioned that the police are on the lookout for the individual(s) responsible, but no arrests have been made so far.
Jeff Kosowski had a message for the perpetrator(s): “Your actions only underscore the very point we’re making. They reveal the malice within you. But let me be clear, we will not be silenced; we will continue to speak out.”
This incident in Newton has not only affected the Kosowski family but has also resonated with the wider community, prompting a unified stand against hate and bias.