A spate of Nazi symbol graffiti across Newcastle has been condemned as “repugnant” and “cowardly”.
Swastikas have been spray-painted this week in vandalism attacking NHS workers and the city’s new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) tolls. The Local Democracy Reporting Service told on Wednesday how a “F*** THE CLEAN AIR ZONE” message had appeared at the side of the Great North Road, greeting drivers coming into the north side of the city centre near the Hancock Museum.
And it has since emerged that more pieces of graffiti also including the Nazi emblem have been seen across Newcastle. A banner opposite the Freeman Hospital thanking NHS staff was defaced with the words “COVID LIARS” and a swastika.
Read More: Outrage as Nazi swastika symbol sprayed in graffiti attacking Newcastle Clean Air Zone tolls
The poster was located on the railings at Paddy Freeman’s Park, opposite the hospital in Gosforth, on Monday, but has since been removed. A similar anti-vaccine message with a swastika was also seen on a sign on the A1 near the Newcastle Great Park on Thursday morning.
Labour councillor Irim Ali, the city council’s equalities champion, said: “This is a form of hate crime. That logo goes into a deep history in terms of the violation of human rights. This is such a disgusting way of spreading hate.
“How many people will have seen these in such public locations? I would hate for someone to be inspired by this and follow it with similar graffiti elsewhere. We are a very peaceful city, a very diverse place with respect for each other and people from different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds.”
Coun Ali added: “I completely condemn this kind of behaviour, it is not wanted here. Newcastle is a peace-loving city and a city of sanctuary. It is very cowardly act for someone to express their views in this way.”
Vince Barry-Stanners, who spotted the vandalism near the Freeman Hospital, said that it was “insensitive to those who lost loved ones from Covid-19 and the NHS staff who risked their lives to protect us and keep the NHS from collapse”.
Reacting to the CAZ-related graffiti, Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah commented: “At any time, but especially a week after Holocaust Memorial Day, the appearance of Nazi symbolism in Newcastle is repugnant. Seeking to promote the evil ideology a whole generation of Brits sacrificed so much to overthrow is deeply disturbing.”
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