Antisemitic flyers found Christmas morning, spreading COVID conspiracies in Springfield
Andrew Sullender,
Springfield News-Leader
Mon, December 27, 2021,
Image from an antisemitic flyer found in Springfield on Dec. 25 2021.
This Christmas Day, some Springfieldians woke up not to presents but to an antisemitic flyer.
The flyers were left at the front steps of houses in central Springfield sometime during the night of Christmas Eve. At least two dozen flyers were found for several blocks in a neighborhood near Bass Pro Shops.
The antisemitic flyers attempt to tie the Jewish faith to false conspiracies about the COVID-19 vaccine — declaring "every single aspect of the COVID agenda is Jewish."
The flyers are part of a nationwide antisemitic campaign of a hate group formed in 2020.
In a Dec. 18 video, that group's founder issued a challenge to his followers — telling them to spread these flyers across the Christmas holidays.
"It’s going to feel good when you do this ... know that you are helping out your race and you’re helping out mankind," the founder said in the video.
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Since then, hundreds of the flyers have been spotted in at least ten states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Vermont. The flyers found in Springfield were the first reported in Missouri.
The hate group was formed after being banned from various social media outlets. The founder has since started his own video sharing platform, which he uses to share the group's message and spread antisemitic hate.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the group denies the existence of the Holocaust and falsely claims Jews were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York. Members of the group also routinely give the Nazi salute at their public demonstrations.
In an email to the News-Leader, ADL Heartland Regional Director Etzion Neuer condemned the flyers found in Springfield.
"We strongly condemn this antisemitic propaganda attempting to link the Jewish people to COVID-19. These false conspiracy theories perpetuate harmful antisemitic stereotypes about Jews and have no place in our community. As hate and extremism rise across the country, we must stand united in opposing bias and bigotry in all forms," Neuer wrote.
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In a statement to the News-Leader, the City of Springfield "strongly condemned" the flyers.
"The distribution of such language is intolerable and the thoughts expressed do not reflect our inclusive community. Further, we believe that false conspiracy theories like this spread harmful stereotypes," said city spokeswoman Cora Scott.
Speaking to the News-Leader, Temple Israel Rabbi Barbara Block said she was grateful to those in Springfield who spoke up against the flyers.
"I know that far more people in Springfield do not profess the hate that is expressed in the flyer. And I'm grateful to the many Springfield citizens who voiced their outrage at the flyers and who support the Jewish community. And I also appreciate the ongoing support of the mayor, the city council and the Springfield Police," Block said.
Block added that these flyers first appeared in Springfield several weeks ago — targeting at least one member of the Temple Israel congregation.
"We've been aware that these flyers were distributed in Springfield several weeks ago. The ADL was notified immediately, and has been helpful in responding and working with the Springfield Police."
Lt. Jennifer Charleston with the Springfield Police Department said they are aware of the situation and are looking into the incident, but do not have any more information to release at this time.
Mara Cohen Ioannides, a Missouri State professor and expert on midwestern Jewish history, said the flyers promote hate of Judaism.
"The conspiracy theorists who promote this are clearly just that — conspiracy theorists. This kind of hate against the Jewish people — because supposedly Jews have all the power in the government — is not new, nor is it true. However, the language is hurtful because it encourages antisemitism," Ioannides said.
Former Springfield councilperson and Missouri Faith Voices of Southwest Missouri leader Justin Burnett said in a statement the flyers are indicative of a "pattern of hate speech" recently seen in the city.
"The faith community is heartbroken over the antisemitic fliers that were distributed in Springfield on Christmas. We've seen a disturbing pattern of hate speech in southwest Missouri, including at city council and school board meetings. This must not be who we are as a community. Our collective faith traditions teach us that love is the only way, yet this incident reminds us of the ever-present danger of radicalization via the internet, which is a source of amplification for radical opinion hosts and politicians."
Current Springfield Councilman Andy Lear wrote on Facebook the fliers were "abhorrent, bigoted, and irresponsible."
"Sadly, these types of actions are becoming more brazen and prevalent, and I fear more accepted. We all have a duty to ensure that reason and humanity prevails over ignorance and hate," Lear wrote.
The Springfield flyers were first reported on social media by Jim Lee, who found the flyers at his door and in the yards of his neighbors. The morning of Dec. 25, Lee and another neighbor went across his neighborhood to collect the flyers on his neighbor's lawns before they were found.
Lee said the flyers were at every house on his street and continued past where he stopped.
"I just don't understand this. I just — it's just unbelievable to me," Lee told the News-Leader of the flyers. "I've never seen anything like this in my life. I'm 72 years old and this is just horrible, horrible."
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Antisemitic flyers found Christmas morning, spread COVID conspiracy
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