HORRIFIED residents have called for action after swastikas were scrawled across an Oxford school wall alongside a reference to the New Zealand shootings.
The Nazi swastikas were daubed on a back wall of Cheney School, Headington, plus the words 'Sub 2 PewDiePie' which is the same reference reportedly said by a gunman in New Zealand.
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The graffiti, which has now been removed, shocked residents in Oxford and city councillor Shaista Aziz has said as the second incident of swastikas being sprawled in the city it 'cannot be dismissed as just vandalism'.
She said: "This is my former school so it has even more resonance, it is very clear there needs to be a visible response [from police and authorities].
"I am horrified.
"The context of the New Zealand attack where 49 people were massacred, you can’t ignore the reference. Given the global context it takes on a whole other meaning.
"This is highly racial hate at a time of global hate and within 24 hours of people being massacred. I am horrified and want to know why this is happening."
It is not known exactly when the graffiti was created but it is thought to have happened either Friday evening or Saturday morning off Cheney Lane.
Police are now investigating the incident, superintendent Joe Kidman, LPA Commander for Oxford City, said: “I deplore the actions of the person or persons responsible for this graffiti and there are no excuses for those who carry out hate crimes.
“Oxford is a tolerant community with strong links between our faith communities. This act is not representative of the people of Oxford and it will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police.
“We are working to find the person or persons responsible. They may well have told someone else what they have done or been seen in the area and I ask anyone with information that could assist us to please come forward and call 101 quoting reference 43190081534.”
The sick thing is that whomever did this is just as bad and twisted as the gunman and they have no real knowledge of the hateful symbol the swastika represents. Purile vandalising scum. No one should be glamourising the actions of these cowards.
— JP (@jpwolf_197) March 17, 2019
Swastikas have previously been spraypainted over Quarry Pavilion in Headington last November.
READ AGAIN: Nazi swastikas sprayed on to wall of Oxford community centre
One reader of the Oxford Mail said: "Very likely the work of some uneducated, and uncouth teenagers. I would really like to urge the Muslim Community not to think anything of this stupidity."
They added: "Lets not allow the extremists to destroy the peace, harmony and tolerance that so defines this United Kingdom."
Another commentor said: "Grafitti used to be funny observations on life, books were written about it and life continued."
Adding: "The sooner this paint meets a pressure washer the better."
The graffiti was reported to Oxford City Council cleaning services yesterday, it was removed by the council and the school this morning.
City councillor Nigel Chapman said: "We have the very strong view that we will not tolerate racist or offensive graffiti. I am pleased that Oxford Direct Services worked swiftly to remove this.
"We also wanted to make sure that children and staff didn't arrive back on Monday to see it."
In the wake of the #Christchurch terror attack the Nazi graffiti daubed on a school wall in #Oxford shows the urgent need to mobilise against the fascists. It's good Oxford City Council acted swiftly to remove & #Oxford #StandUpToRacism activists put out an anti racist message. pic.twitter.com/5hwQ8bmdmz
— OxSUTR (@OxfordSUTR) March 17, 2019
Ms Aziz added: "To have this happen for the second time in five months is horrifying.
"We need a robust discussion around how and why racism and hatred is manifesting in our city.
"Hate crime is not isolated and the problem must be talked about in this way to ensure it is not diminished.
"It is not good enough, in terms of what is happening in the city, to dismiss this as a random act of vandalism. It is racism."
Thames Valley Police added: "We are aware that the awful events in New Zealand tensions will have heightened concerns for many communities.
"As a result officers in Oxford as well as the wider Thames Valley, will be visiting places of worship to reassure all faith communities. I have personally also made contact with a number of our faith leaders to offer support and advice on reviewing their safety and security measures.
“Our thoughts remain with the people of New Zealand and we stand together with them and all our communities at this difficult time.”
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