The Anti-Defamation League responded to the recent vandalism in Wildwood Cemetery after the story was brought to their attention from a concerned caller. Given that the 10 defaced headstones each had crosses on them, the ADL did not think that this was a hate-driven crime.
“Regardless to whether or not this is a hate crime, desecrating a sacred community space like a cemetery is a very offensive and painful act,” Robert Trestan, regional director of the ADL said in a phone interview. “Somebody chose to use a swastika, which is a universal symbol of hate.”
In a press release, Trestan praised the Winchester Police for “promptly lauching an investigation.”
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Ten headstones were defaced on October 25. Department of Public Works pressure washed the orange graffiti off of the headstones the day of the discovery.
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