Statement of the Town of Brookline Regarding Longwood MBTA Vandalism

BROOKLINE — The following is a statement from Bernard Greene, Chair of the Brookline Select Board:

“On Thursday, April 4, the Longwood MBTA stop along the Green Line was vandalized with a large antisemitic message. The Town promptly reached out to the MBTA and the message was removed the same day. We don’t know whether the perpetrators are from Brookline or out of town, as we have found other instigators of such activity to be. We continue to work with the Transit Police to investigate the incident.

“While the Select Board cannot act outside of a posted meeting and has asked that bodies that it appoints defer to it on matters warranting public response, this incident requires an immediate statement, so I as Chair of the Select Board am issuing this message on my own behalf. I am confident that its sentiments are shared by the other members of the Select Board, Town staff, and indeed all members of our community.

“I have always said that hatred is indivisible. This attack on our Jewish community is an attack on our community as a whole. Hate, in any form, is unacceptable.

“Brookline has been a welcoming bastion of inclusion for our Jewish community members for over 100 years, as a home to multiple diverse congregations of numerous denominations. This vandalism, and any other attacks on the Jewish community’s safety and sense of belonging in this town, will not be tolerated.

“The pernicious and false tropes of antisemitism are anathema to Brookline’s values. Whenever there are threats or instances of hate, our first responders are always ready to ensure the community’s safety and security.

“If you see vandalism or hateful messages of any kind in the community, please report them using BrookOnLine to ensure our cleaning crews reach and remove them. If you witness or are the victim of a hate crime, or have any information about this incident or others, please promptly report it to the Brookline Police Department at 617-730-2222.

“We will continue to take swift action and speak out against hate to ensure Brookline remains a welcoming and inclusive community for all its residents.”