Blaze News original: Tesla in the crosshairs: Leftist attacks against Elon Musk's car brand are massive and widespread



Among the biggest stories of the moment is the increasing deluge of Tesla vehicle vandalism — and worse.

Ever since the car company's CEO, Elon Musk, earlier this year joined President Donald Trump's team as the leader of the DOGE — the Department of Government Efficiency — and began cutbacks, leftists far and wide have been losing their minds.

'We don't allow people to act out based on what they believe their political affiliations are and what upsets them and who they are upset with, and allow them to take things into their own hands and become essentially a vigilante. ... What does that say about our country?'

One of the ways they've carried out their anger is vandalism of Tesla cars, primarily by "keying" them — scraping keys or other hard objects against the exterior surface as the offenders walk by.

Blaze News has looked at example after example of this woke phenomenon, and ironically Tesla's onboard Sentry Mode has caught the crooks red-handed, as the technology can record video of activity outside the vehicles.

For example, police in Lakewood, Colorado, arrested Shaydan Hessner and charged the 29-year-old for criminal tampering after video showed a Tesla Cybertruck getting keyed last month in the parking lot of the Colorado Mills Mall, KDVR-TV reported.

Image source: Lakewood (Colo.) Police

Indeed, similar acts have been occurring at an alarming pace. Blaze News has noted documented attacks against Tesla — including arson and vandalism — as well as leftist violence against the cars in more than 20 states.

Here's a rundown, just for starters:

  • WTTG-TV reported that a swastika was keyed into the hood of a parked Tesla in Arlington County, Virginia, last month. Here's the video report.
  • A Utah woman told KSL-TV she's been the recipient of "targeted hostility" ever since purchasing her Tesla Cybertruck last summer — including, most recently, a profane sticker affixed to her vehicle. Check out the video report of her plight.
  • KRON-TV reported that on March 29 a Tesla's tires were slashed at a home in Novato, California, and the vehicle's window was smashed with a rock.
  • Police in Tustin, California, posted video on March 28 of a crook keying a Tesla the previous week. "If you recognize this male, please notify Detectives by emailing tpdtipline@tustinca.org or calling 714-426-2427," police said. "We’d like to talk to him about his bad day."
  • Police reportedly are looking for a suspect caught on video keying a Tesla in Seattle on March 23.
  • A male who admitted to vandalizing a Tesla truck in West Fargo, North Dakota, on March 29 could be charged with a felony, KVRR-TV reported. The station said Ryan Lyle Williams keyed the vehicle in a Costco parking lot. You can view video of the deed here.
  • Numerous Tesla drivers in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, complained in late March about a motorist they said aggressively pursued them. You can check out a video report here.
  • Multiple vehicles at a Tesla dealership in Encinitas, California, were spray-painted with swastikas on March 17, KUSI-TV reported. You can view a video report here.
  • A video posted March 19 on X allegedly shows a male actually reaching into the rear of his shorts and wiping his hand on a Tesla vehicle; he repeats the act another three times. The clip includes a still image of the aftermath. It isn't clear where the incident took place.
  • Spray-painted graffiti was discovered March 26 on a Santa Barbara Tesla dealership, KEYT-TV reported. You can view a video report here.
  • Police in Austin, Texas, found active "incendiary" devices at a local Tesla dealership just after 8 a.m. March 24.
  • An X video posted March 19 allegedly shows a male "throwing his dog's feces at a parked Cybertruck in St. Petersburg, [Florida]."
  • Photos and video show a Cybertruck at a Tesla dealership on the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico spray-painted with a swastika, KOB-TV reported, adding that a second vehicle was set on fire there during the February incident.
  • A 27-year-old suspect was arrested March 14 for allegedly vandalizing a newly constructed Tesla Service Center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, WFLD-TV reported, adding that Erin L. White was charged with felony criminal damage to property and criminal trespass.
  • Police in Brookhaven, Mississippi, said a 63-year-old male caught on Tesla security video March 28 vandalizing the vehicle with wire cutters is a Cuban illegal alien, WLOX-TV reported. You can view security video — as well as Osvaldo Torres-Rodriguez's booking photo — here.
  • A 24-year-old North Carolina woman was charged with injury/tampering with a vehicle after she allegedly used a white-milky substance on March 13 to draw "Nazi" and a swastika on a Tesla parked outside a food store near Clayton. Olivia Marie Antoine surrendered to authorities March 25.
  • Two Tesla Cybertrucks were damaged in a fire late on the night of March 17 at a Tesla service center in south Kansas City, WDAF-TV reported, adding that police believe the fire was intentionally set. You can view a video report here.
  • Two vandals were caught on video carving a swastika and the word “Nazis” on the side of a Tesla Cybertruck parked in Brooklyn, police told the New York Post on March 28. The pair fled on foot, cops also told the Post, which added that police are probing the vandalism as a hate crime.

The following are further examples, fleshed out with more detail, of the left's recent lawlessness.

Male, 70, at Tesla protest in Idaho accused of driving his car into Trump-supporting counterprotester


A 70-year-old male at a Tesla dealership protest in Meridian, Idaho, is accused of driving his car into a counterprotester, KIVI-TV reported. Christopher Talbot of Meridian made an "obscene gesture" toward a 49-year-old man before hitting the man with his car at the dealership on Franklin Road around 1 p.m. Saturday, the station said, citing the Meridian Police Department.

KIVI said the victim had just parked his truck — which was decorated with flags supporting President Donald Trump — and exited the vehicle when Talbot allegedly hit him with his car. The victim then transported himself to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, the station said. The victim took note of Talbot's license plate, after which police went to Talbot's residence and arrested him, KIVI said.

Talbot was booked into the Ada County Jail and charged with one count of aggravated battery, the station said. He was not granted bail.

At the time of the incident, about 30 Tesla protesters and about 200 counterprotesters were gathered at the dealership, KBOI-TV reported, adding that the victim was identified as a counterprotester. You can view a video report here about the incident.

Arrested male is accused of slamming ATV into Tesla vehicle in Texas — and the bizarre incident is captured on viral video


Video caught the moment when a male riding an ATV slammed it into a Tesla vehicle. The suspect reportedly vandalized other Teslas the same day. Police in Texarkana, Texas, arrested 33-year-old Demarkeyun Marquize Cox on March 25 on charges of criminal mischief and failure to identify/giving false information. Jail records indicate Cox stands 5'2" and weighs 449 pounds. His total bond is $105,000.

Police said Cox's rampage began at the Golden Place restaurant on Summerhill Road, where he was captured on the Tesla's surveillance footage ramming into it at full speed. They were investigating the incident when police got a report of another Tesla damaged in a Lowe's parking lot. Police said soon after they saw a man fitting the provided description riding an ATV near the intersection of Summerhill and New Boston Roads. When they questioned Cox, he reportedly gave them a false name. Police got a third report of Tesla vandalism near Genesis Prime Care on College Drive after they arrested Cox. Police also said that the word "Elon" was scratched into two vehicles.

You can view a video report here from WBIR-TV about the arrest.

Female Tesla driver, 61, says male motorist repeatedly punched her after cutting her off, boxing her in on busy Arizona road — and video caught it all


A 61-year-old Tesla driver told KTVK-TV a male motorist recently cut her off, boxed her in, then exited his car and repeatedly punched her on a busy road in Flagstaff, Arizona. The woman, who wants to remain anonymous and went by the alias "Susan," explained to the station that she was on Route 66 when another vehicle started chasing her.

KTVK said Susan has video of the incident, and it shows a motorist in a green car pulling up next to her and then swerving in front of her and boxing her in. Susan told the station that the motorist then exited his car, walked over to her as she was behind the wheel of her Tesla, and then began punching her.

Susan told the station she soon bit her attacker's hand; indeed, video shows the male at one point pulling his hand away from the Tesla and shaking it. Moments later, video shows the male motorist's passenger exiting the green car and pulling the attacker away, after which the pair drive off.

Flagstaff police cited the suspect, who was due in court March 31, the station said.

A statement from police said officers responded to reports of "a road rage incident that escalated into a violent encounter" around 12:30 p.m. March 19, KSAZ-TV reported, adding that investigators said the incident involved a Tesla and a Chevrolet Cavalier.

"The driver of the Cavalier, later identified as Robert Artherton, 33, of Flagstaff, drove in front of the Tesla, causing both vehicles to stop in the roadway," the statement said in part, KSAZ reported, adding that Artherton exited his vehicle and approached the driver’s side of the Tesla, after which a confrontation ensued.

KSAZ said both parties gave conflicting accounts regarding what took place, and police said they both suffered minor injuries. "All parties involved allege that the incident was triggered by driving behaviors, honking, and disorderly hand gestures," officials said in the statement, KSAZ noted.

"Mr. Artherton was arrested via a criminal citation for disorderly conduct, assault, and aggressive driving in lieu of detention due to seeking medical attention for an injury to his hand," the statement said in part, according to KSAZ.

KTVK reported that another female Tesla owner said she recently departed a Flagstaff grocery store and found a note on her car that read, “She’s a Nazi and a loser.” A few weeks later, she received a threatening text calling her a “Racist POS," the station said.

KTVK said both Tesla owners also signed up for a gun safety course at Timberline Firearms, which is north of Flagstaff.

“They were targeted because they drove a Tesla and, as a result, felt quite vulnerable,” shop owner Rob Wilson told KTVK. “They were surprised someone would do something like that and realized if they were doing it, and targeting them because of car they drive, they needed to take additional measures to protect themselves.”

You can view a video report here about what happened to both Tesla drivers.

Crook caught on video repeatedly keying Tesla in Kansas. Family that owns vehicle has daughter who needs it, since she's confined to wheelchair.


The family of 18-year-old Abigail Gill owns a Tesla Model X because its automated driving function helps her drive more easily, the Wichita Eagle reported. Abigail has spinal muscular atrophy, and she uses a wheelchair, the paper said.

Abigail was out to eat with her mother, brother, and boyfriend on March 20, the paper said, after which they noticed the Tesla had been keyed deeply on both sides. Video connected to the Tesla showed that a male who had been sitting next to them had left the restaurant, keyed the passenger side of the Tesla, went back inside, came out again, and keyed the other side of the Tesla, then then picked up his family, the Eagle said.

Video also picked up the suspected culprit's face as well as the license plate of his car, she also told the Eagle.

Johnathan F. Erhart, 30, was charged with one count of criminal damage to property on March 28, the paper said. If convicted, he could be sentenced from five to 17 months in prison, the Eagle said, citing Kansas sentencing guidelines.

"It’s a super saddening and disappointing thing to see," Abigail told Fox News regarding the incident. You can view a video report about the incident here, which includes an interview with Abigail and security video of the culprit caught in the act.

Male caught on video spray-painting graffiti on Tesla in Whole Foods parking lot in Berkeley — but vehicle's owner is doubling down and expediting order for new Cybertruck


A male was caught on Tesla security video spray-painting graffiti on the Tesla in a Whole Foods parking lot in Berkeley, California, KGO-TV reported, adding that the incident took place March 16 and paint cans can be seen in both of the culprit's hands.

The Tesla owner, who identified himself as Hiroshi, told the station, "I wasn't shocked because this has been happening so frequently. Even the police, when they showed up, both officers are Tesla owners as well. They expressed to me that they've been dealing with this so much. It's like a trend."

Berkeley police have not identified the suspect, KGO said, adding that Hiroshi noted that he had the spray paint removed and is remaining loyal to Tesla. In fact, he told the station he plans to expedite his order for Tesla's new Cybertruck.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

'F**k off Nazi': Tesla Cybertruck owner in Western Michigan finds hateful message written on vehicle's window, says he gets 'a lot of middle fingers' every day


A Tesla Cybertruck owner who did not want to give his name told WZZM-TV that on March 15 he found a hateful message written on his vehicle at an undisclosed location in Western Michigan's Kent County.

The message read, "F**k off Nazi." You can view a video report here about the incident.

“We were out with my friends having dinner and drinks and come out to the vehicle with the message on the window," he told WZZM, adding that "there were people around the truck and taking photos and a lot of people laughing. It was very disappointing and frustrating.” He added to the station that his friends were "were embarrassed about it.”

The victim also told WZZM that he ordered the $100,000 Cybertruck four years ago, well prior to Elon Musk's work with the Trump administration. While the station said he didn't share his political views, he also said it doesn't matter: “Everyone works hard for what they have, and regardless of their political views, we should respect that.”

He also told WZZM that he has no plans to sell his Tesla to avoid such incidents: “I’m not going to let people tell me what I should buy or not buy.”

Still, he told the station that every day "I do get a lot of middle fingers" and that "it does not bother me as much when I’m by myself, but when we have kids inside the car, it’s kind of disappointing ... and sad.”

The victim told WZZM he plans to turn in the video to police. The Kent County Prosecutor's Office noted to the station that punishment for such an offense could result in a charge of malicious destruction of property.

Dim-witted protester lights himself on fire while trying to destroy Tesla charging stations in South Carolina; suspect arrested, charged with arson


A male who appeared to be protesting against Elon Musk's political activity accidentally lit himself on fire while trying to vandalize electronic vehicle charging stations, according to South Carolina police.

The incident unfolded on March 13 at the Tesla charging stations near a Mellow Mushroom pizzeria in northern Charleston. The male wrote "Free Ukraine" as well as another message against President Donald Trump with an expletive included, according to a report from the North Charleston Police Department.

Police said the male lit material stuffed into beer bottles and threw them at the stations. Witnesses told police the male lit himself on fire by accident and then fled from the scene.

Firefighters cut power to the chargers and then extinguished the fire. Investigators collected beer bottles from the alleged attack and had been trying to lift fingerprints from the glass. Police estimated that the male caused about $60,000 in damage to the charging stations.

Daniel Clarke-Pounder, 24, of James Island was arrested and charged with arson in connection with the incident, according to a March 14 news release from the U.S. Justice Department. Clarke-Pounder faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Masked leftist thug cuts off Washington state Tesla driver — a mother on her way to doctor's appointment — gets out, walks up to victim's window, and tells her, 'This is a Nazi car'


A mother on her way to a doctor's appointment on March 19 in Lynnwood, Washington, told KCPQ-TV a male wearing a ski mask and a camouflage jacket harassed her in a scary incident because she was driving a Tesla.

Leigh, a Tesla owner for the last two years, added to the station, "He gets out and walks straight up to my door window. So I cracked my window, and I said, ‘What? What is the problem?’ He goes, ‘You need to sell your car. This is a Nazi car. You're driving it, you need to sell your car.’"

Leigh recounted to KCPQ, "I could only see his eyes. ... I had no idea if I was safe or not. I felt very threatened."

You can view a video report here about the incident; it includes a clip of the masked male in question approaching her Tesla.

A week prior in Lynnwood, a number of Tesla Cybertrucks were spray-painted with graffiti and swastikas at a Tesla Service Station, KIRO-TV reported. The owner of one of the vandalized cars told the station that "as a gay Jewish person, I was kind of taken aback." The victim posted photos of the vandalism on X.

Philadelphia-area male accused of scrawling swastika onto Tesla vehicle — but new video allegedly shows suspect singing sorry tune when vehicle's owner confronts him



A Philadelphia-area male is accused of scrawling a swastika into the side of a Tesla last month — an act that was caught on the Tesla's security video system. Now a new video has emerged allegedly showing the Tesla owner confronting the culprit.
The Doylestown Republican Committee shared video of a male vandalizing the Tesla; police said the act took place in the parking lot of a Planet Fitness in Doylestown around 9:30 a.m. March 24.

The new video — which was livestreamed to Facebook — shows the Tesla owner allegedly confronting the suspect, who tells the owner, "I can wipe it off with a towel — it's not a key, it's a crayon." He added to the Tesla owner, "It didn't even work."

But the Tesla owner explains that his car is being fingerprinted by the police "right now," after which the confronted male asks, "What do you mean it's being fingerprinted?"

The Tesla owner said police were trying to "track" the suspect down but noted that Facebook users tracked him down.

“I’m sorry. I have nothing against your car, and I have nothing against you," the suspect is heard saying on video.

The Tesla owner asks the alleged suspect why he would scratch a swastika on his Tesla, after which the confronted male replies, "Obviously, I have something against Elon Musk" and admits that his actions were "misguided."

The Central Bucks Regional Police Department said in a statement that the suspect was identified by his gym membership identification card and his Pennsylvania driver's license. A criminal complaint was filed, and police on March 27 issued an arrest warrant for 55-year-old Chadd Ritenbaugh, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He was hit with charges of criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and two counts of harassment.

Masked thug caught on video spray-painting 'Nazi' on Tesla Cybertruck outside Oklahoma hotel in middle of night


A masked male was caught on video spray-painting the word "Nazi" on both sides of a Tesla Cybertruck in the middle of the night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, KFOR-TV reported.

Tulsa police said officers were called to a Residence Inn at 3:20 a.m. March 11, the station said, adding that the Cybertruck owner received a notification on her phone that someone was tampering with her vehicle. The suspect fled by the time she got to the parking lot, KFOR said.

You can view a video report here about the incident. Those with information about the person responsible can contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS with the reference number 2025-011539.

Texas Tesla owner files $1 million civil lawsuit against male accused of keying his Model X — an incident captured on the vehicle's onboard video system


A Texas Tesla owner has filed a $1 million civil lawsuit against the male accused of keying his Model X last month when it was parked at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, KTVT-TV reported.

DFW Airport Police arrested Rafael Hernandez in late March and charged him with criminal mischief, the station said, adding that the accused is expected to make his first court appearance on April 8. In the lawsuit, the Tesla owner is identified only by his initials due to fear of threats, KTVT added.

Majed Nachawati, managing partner with the Nachawati Legal Group in Dallas, which is representing the Tesla owner, told the station that "this matter has nothing to do with his political persuasions or affiliations. He happens to believe that Tesla, his Model X, is one of the best cars he's ever owned. And he enjoys driving it, plain and simple."

The Tesla's onboard camera captured images of a male holding a key fob and appearing to use it to vandalize the vehicle, the station said. The car's owner shared video of the alleged vandalism on social media, hoping to identify the culprit, after which it went viral and led to Hernandez's arrest, KTVK said.

"It's just kind of mind-boggling to me that there are people who are so triggered and so disturbed by anything these days that they can go so far as to just cause harm to somebody," the car's owner told the station soon after the incident.

More from KTVK:

Attorneys for the Tesla owner whose car was keyed said attacks on private individuals due to political disagreements cannot be tolerated. They acknowledged that the vehicle itself is not worth $1 million, but admit their client also wants to send a message with the lawsuit. He's hoping to discourage other acts of violence.

"We don't allow people to act out based on what they believe their political affiliations are and what upsets them and who they are upset with, and allow them to take things into their own hands and become essentially a vigilante. ... What does that say about our country?" Nachawati said. "Whether you're a Republican, whether you're a Democrat, I believe anyone who sees the video and who sees what happened would believe that deterrence would be the biggest part of this case."

Male caught on video keying a Tesla outside Houston Whole Foods confesses to crime — but insists his actions weren't politically motivated


A male caught on video keying a Tesla in the parking lot of a Houston Whole Foods on Feb. 13 confessed to the crime but told KPRC-TV that his actions weren't politically motivated.

Nicholas Carrion told the station that his behavior was the result of road rage after he said the Tesla driver cut him off, and he decided to follow her into the Whole Foods parking lot.

“I felt anger because the woman cut me off. We were both going into the Whole Foods, so I did not follow her directly. I got out and went to the store,” Carrion noted to KPRC. “But after I did my shopping, I came back outside and just couldn’t let it go.”

Carrion is now facing charges of felony criminal mischief — not terrorism charges — for the damage he caused to the woman’s Tesla, the station said. Carrion sent the following message to the victim: “I did not mean to cause you that much fear. This was in no way politically motivated. I just hope you are able to live a normal life and not be in fear to just do normal activities and drive around in the Tesla.”

The victim, however, told KPRC she had no prior knowledge of any road rage incident, expressed disbelief, and said if she had been aware of a confrontation, she wouldn't have left her car unattended in the parking lot. You can view a video report here about the new developments.

Masked punk caught on video scrawling, 'This car supports Nazis,' on Tesla in downtown Syracuse


An unidentified individual wearing a face mask was caught on video March 16 scrawling, "This car supports Nazis," on a Tesla vehicle in downtown Syracuse, WSTM-TV reported.

“Protesting is a right that we all have, but destroying people’s property is not," the car owner, Shawn Freed, told the station in an interview.

Freed posted the video of the vandalism to his X account, after which Trending Politics co-owner Collin Rugg reposted the clip.

Despite the hassle, Freed told WSTM he's not getting rid of his car: "In some ways, I see myself as someone who is a voice for the other people who are innocent bystanders who have their property destroyed."

Freed added to the station that he reported the vandalism to Syracuse police, who are investigating. You can check out a video report here about the incident, which also includes the interview with Freed.

Florida woman charged with felony after allegedly smearing Tesla door handle with large wad of gum, spitting on it — which left door inoperable


The Tesla's owner said the alleged gum-wad vandalism was captured on the built-in cameras of his car, which was in the parking garage of the JCPenney store at the Aventura Mall around 12:45 p.m. March 22.

Yamaris Marrero, 45, of Hallandale Beach was arrested and charged with a felony. Police said she was identified through the video, which showed a vandal smearing the large wad of gum on the car's door handle and then spitting on it. She was also seen getting into a white Honda Pilot before leaving the garage. The Tesla's owner said the damage from the gum rendered the door handle inoperable.

The police report said a security guard spotted Marrero at the mall food court on March 27, after which she was arrested. Police said she made an admission that was redacted from the publicly released report.

Marrero originally was charged for criminal mischief with a hate crime enhancement, but that was dropped on March 28, and the charge was lowered from a second-degree felony to a third-degree felony. She was held on a $2,500 bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

The Tesla's owner told WPLG-TV that politics probably motivated the vandalism and that there was no personal interaction between him and the accused woman; police said it was not a traffic dispute.

The interview with the Tesla owner can be viewed on WPLG's video report on YouTube, while the video of the woman smearing the gum can be viewed on an earlier news report.

Thug allegedly pours gasoline on Tesla Model S in Seattle, lights vehicle on fire, runs away


A witness told Seattle police that on the night of March 13, a male threw gasoline on a Tesla Model S in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, lit the car on fire, and ran off, KING-TV reported.

Police told the station the right front tire area was damaged, while the quarter panel, the hood, and the car's battery all melted. The Seattle Fire Department put out the fire, KING said, adding that police said they are investigating the incident as arson.

The suspect has not been identified, the station said, adding that police found the gas can nearby and obtained security images of the suspect carrying the gas can and a plastic bag.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

'Old man' caught on video keying Tesla in San Jose arrested for felony — and a similar-looking male is confronted in hilarious follow-up clip


An "old man" who was caught on video keying a Tesla in San Jose, California, was arrested for his "act of felony vandalism."

The incident happened in a Costco parking lot between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 14, KRON-TV reported, citing the owner of the vandalized Tesla. The now-viral video shows a male with white hair and a white beard and wearing a USA jacket using a key to scratch the exterior of the Tesla vehicle.

A second video shows a similar-looking male wearing the same jacket getting confronted about the incident, and he denies involvement. The title of the pair of videos is "WATCH THIS: Old man who keyed Tesla in San Jose is confronted."

San Jose Police announced on the night of March 17 that "we successfully identified, located, and arrested the individual responsible for this act of felony vandalism."

You can view KRON's video report here about the incident.

Male reportedly 'under investigation' after allegedly keying Tesla Cybertruck at ritzy New Hampshire mountain resort


A male was "under investigation" after allegedly keying a Tesla Cybertruck at ritzy mountain resort in New Hampshire in March.

The culprit was caught on video allegedly dragging a key across the vehicle outside the Omni Mountain Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods, Fox News reported.

You can view video here of the alleged vandalism.

The Tesla owner, Kerri Pouliot, told Fox News that she and her husband "were told at the time of the incident that they would be getting a warrant" for the male suspect's arrest.

Pouliot recorded a video when police arrived at the scene, and an officer can be heard asking, "Do you want to talk about what happened here?" the cable network reported.

The accused vandal snapped back, "No, I don’t know what happened," Fox News said.

Police then told the man that they "had him on video," after which the male replied, "I don't know what happened," the cable network noted.

Carroll Police Chief Tadd Bailey told the New Hampshire Union Leader that "the incident is under investigation by us and the Coos County Attorney’s Office," Fox News added.

Pouliot told the cable network that she and her husband have "no intentions of ever selling our truck." Omni Mountain Resort & Spa could not be reached for comment, Fox News said.

Couple in Oregon wake up to find their Tesla vehicles spray-painted with the words 'divest' and 'depose' — but they're refusing to cave to woke mob and won't part with their cars


A couple in Eugene, Oregon, told KEZI-TV that they found their Tesla vehicles vandalized and spray-painted with the words “divest” and “depose" on the morning of March 20. The couple requested anonymity to protect their safety and added to the station that a camera on their property caught a person approaching the vehicles before dawn. They also said there has been a rise in people being aggressive to them on the road, KEZI reported.

“This is really unfortunate that someone feels they need to vandalize and cost somebody time and money,” one of the victims told the station. “I feel very violated. We’re regular people, we live and work in this community, we contribute to community service.”

The couple added to KEZI that while their vehicles are being repaired, they had to take them to Portland — a nearly two-hour drive — because their insurance company advised them to keep the Teslas away from Eugene. Still, despite the hassle and heartache, the couple told the station they’re happy with their Tesla vehicles and are planning to keep them.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

Federal grand jury charges male, 41, with arson after authorities accuse him of throwing Molotov cocktails at Tesla dealership in Oregon


A federal grand jury charged a Salem, Oregon, male with arson after authorities accused him of throwing Molotov cocktails at a local Tesla dealership, the Salem Reporter said.

Adam M. Lansky, 41, now faces two charges of attempted arson in addition to an earlier charge of possession of an unregistered destructive device, the outlet said, citing an indictment filed in Portland U.S. District Court on March 18.

In the new federal case, Lansky is charged with unlawfully possessing a Molotov cocktail and two counts of attempted arson — one for the Tesla dealership building and the second for a Tesla vehicle, the Reporter said.

Lansky was arrested March 4 after a federal investigation linked him to the attempted arson on Jan. 20 and gunshots that destroyed windows on Feb. 19, according to a previous statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the outlet added

More from the Reporter:

Surveillance footage from the dealership on the morning of the arson showed a man lighting around seven Molotov cocktails and throwing them at Tesla vehicles and the dealership. The man also threw a rock at the dealership’s windows, breaking the glass.

The incident caused around $500,000 in damage, including damaging seven Tesla cars, the complaint said.

Lansky is in custody at Yamhill County Jail, according to the county jail roster, and records show he's scheduled to appear in court April 3, the outlet reported. You can view a video report here on the case.

Creep wearing all black in Las Vegas torches at least 5 Teslas with Molotov cocktails, shoots at them — and now authorities have a suspect


A male wearing all black torched at least five Tesla vehicles with Molotov cocktails and then shot at them just before 3 a.m. March 18, Las Vegas police said, adding that the incident took place at a Tesla Service Center on West Badura Avenue.

The word "resist" was also spray-painted in red onto the door of the service center. A photo on social media showed the vandalism.

Paul Hyon Kim, 36, appeared in court March 27 to face federal arson charges in connection with the incident, the Department of Justice said. Kim faces up to 20 years in prison on the arson charge alone; he also was charged with one count of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm.

62-year-old male charged with criminal damage for allegedly keying Tesla in Arizona parking lot; the act is caught on video


A 62-year-old male was charged with criminal damage for allegedly keying a Tesla vehicle last month in a Gilbert, Arizona, parking lot — and the incident was caught on the car's video system, KTVK-TV reported.

The Tesla owner, Shant Janesian, noticed the damage on his car, then viewed video recorded by his vehicle, the station said, adding that the culprit keyed his Tesla at SanTan Village.

Janesian filed a report with Gilbert Police, and in addition to viewing the Tesla video, investigators also used surveillance video from surrounding businesses prior to arresting David Moller, KTVK reported.

"Just because something that has nothing to do with me, and he’s just going around keying Teslas over certain political reasons, and it's just like, 'Dude, you don’t even know anything about me,'" Janesian told the station in the aftermath.

KTVK asked the victim what he would say to Moller, and Janesian replied, “Was it worth it? Like, was it worth it? Did you really get anything out of it? Did it really help your cause? Whatever you’re against, or ... was it just a dumb mistake?”

Janesian told the station he'll continue to drive his Tesla. You can view a video report here about the incident.

Video shows male slamming suitcase against Model Y Tesla in southern California airport parking lot as he walks by, causing $3,000 in damage


A video shows a male slamming a suitcase against a Model Y Tesla in a parking lot at Ontario International Airport in southern California, which caused $3,000 in damage.

The Daily Press report cited a March 19 post on X from Spotted Model: Cars & Tech which includes two videos and two still images related to the vandalism that allegedly took place at 9:25 p.m. March 2 in parking lot No. 3.

One video shows the male walking in the parking lot with a suitcase, and he suddenly slams the suitcase into the vehicle and then walks away.

"Although it’s dark, we have lots of detail here, including his suitcase, the logo on his shirt, and a pretty clear facial visual. Unfortunately, police have made little progress in identifying him," the post notes, adding that "in just about any other car, the owner would be out of luck. With Sentry Mode we’ve got a good chance of finding this guy with your help. On behalf of the owner and his family, thank you!"

The paper said airport and city officials have not yet responded to messages about the incident.

Tesla owner in North Carolina says vandal etched the word 'Nazi' on his vehicle


A man from Garner, North Carolina, told WRAL-TV his Tesla recently was vandalized.

The station on March 23 reported that the Tesla owner — who gave the station only his first name, Jeremy, since he feared for his safety — that someone etched the word “Nazi” into his Tesla.

“I was working from home, and my wife was out running some errands. [She] came home, and as she was coming in past the car, she saw the damage to it,” Jeremy told WRAL. “We immediately started reviewing the footage from the car because it does have Sentry Mode, but unfortunately we didn’t see anything.”

Jeremy told the station he's not sure when his Tesla was vandalized. He added to WRAL that police also found nothing while checking surveillance videos from stores he's visited.

“I bought this back in 2019 and paid it off a month ago,” he added to WRAL. “This was back in the time when Elon was just some guy tweeting about rocket motors and fast cars and wasn’t problematic at the time.”

Vandal caught on surveillance video keying 3 Teslas outside Florida shopping plaza


A vandal was caught on surveillance video keying three Tesla vehicles last month outside a shopping plaza in Bradenton, Florida, WFLA-TV reported.

You can view a video report here about the incident, which took place in the parking lot of Pinebrook Commons and caused more than $7,000 in damages, police said.

“Two of the Tesla owners, father and son, they were just there enjoying dinner," Bradenton Police Department Public Information Officer Meredith Censullo told the station. "And then there was a third Tesla owner who was, you know, shopping or doing something within that plaza."

Censullo added to WFLA that "it would certainly appear like these cars were chosen because they were Tesla vehicles. At the end of the day, though, it is completely unacceptable to damage anyone’s car."

Tesla owner Russell Blackburn told the station he's concerned: “It has been on my brain, you know, going out to public places. So when I go out with people, I ask them, ‘Do you mind driving?’ Because I don’t want to leave my car unattended."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Masked leftist thug cuts off, harasses Tesla driver — a mother on her way to doctor — and tells her, 'This is a Nazi car'



A mother on her way to a doctor's appointment last week in Lynnwood, Washington, told KCPQ-TV a male wearing a mask cut her off, got out of his vehicle, and began harassing her because she was driving a Tesla.

Leigh, a Tesla owner for the last two years, added to the station that she first noticed the aggressive driver honking behind her as she approached a red light Wednesday morning.

'I could only see his eyes. He also had a large bag in front of him and baggy clothes. I had no idea if I was safe or not.'

"Thankfully, I was by myself," Leigh added to KCPQ. "When I made a left turn, they followed me and cut around me."

She told the station things heated up when the driver of a white SUV cut her off, stopped in the middle of the road, got out, approached her vehicle, and began berating her.

"He gets out and walks straight up to my door window. So I cracked my window, and I said, ‘What? What is the problem?’" Leigh recounted to KCPQ. "He goes, ‘You need to sell your car. This is a Nazi car. You're driving it, you need to sell your car.’"

The mother seemed "visibly shaken" when describing the encounter, the station said, and she noted that the driver — who was wearing a camouflage jacket and a ski mask — lowered his mask to tell her she "needed to learn to drive" and then returned to his car.

"I could only see his eyes. He also had a large bag in front of him and baggy clothes. I had no idea if I was safe or not," Leigh told KCPQ, adding that "I felt very threatened."

You can view a video report here about the incident; it includes a clip of the masked male in question approaching her Tesla.

As is the case with many Tesla owners, Leigh expressed values to KCPQ that reflect a liberal sensibility: "Being in Seattle, climate’s important, our footprint’s important. This seemed like the right move for our very busy family."

Yet, once again, a radical leftist has taken it upon himself to menace someone who probably agrees with him about most issues.

"We drive a lot, and it saves us on gas," Leigh noted to the station, adding that "now it feels like a huge risk; it’s scary."

More from KCPQ:

Since the confrontation, Leigh says she has altered her driving routes, opting for highways instead of back roads to avoid stop signs and feel safer. She has filed multiple reports regarding the incident, but it remains unclear if the suspect will face any consequences.

"If it was easy to just turn over a $60,000 car and find something new that works, that’s one thing," she also told the station. "That’s not a decision that everybody can make overnight, and I think that puts a lot of us in a hard position."

Leigh also told KCPQ, "Just really sad that this is what's happening to people. Honestly, it doesn't affect how I believe or what I believe — it's just the car I drive."

More of the same

What Leigh experienced is part of an ongoing trend of open violence and vandalism the left has been carrying out against Tesla cars and Tesla owners. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, has been heading up the Trump administration's cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency, which is deeply unpopular with leftists. Some examples:

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Seattle BLM treasurer arrested on drug, weapons charges following commutation from Democratic governor



Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has a habit of making bad or questionable decisions.

In 2023, he ratified legislation letting strangers shelter children who want sex-change mutilations or abortions without notifying parents. The previous year, his administration secured federal approval to provide illegal aliens with health and dental insurance through the Affordable Care Act. After prohibiting indoor dining and closing gyms, choir performances, and receptions at weddings and funerals, Inslee announced in 2021 that large events would have to confirm attendees' receipt of the experimental COVID-19 vaccines or have them demonstrate negative tests.

Inslee is apparently no better a judge of people than of policy. One of the individuals he sprung from prison is now facing nearly a dozen drug and gun charges.

The Democratic governor commuted the sentence of felon Percy Levy, 54, in 2019. Levy had spent the previous 17 years in prison for a drug house robbery.

Since receiving executive clemency from Inslee, Levy — who the Lynnwod Times indicated sits on the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County chapter's board of directors as treasurer — has masqueraded as a changed man, working as a community outreach specialist for the Washington Defender Association and running the car dealership Redemption Auto.

Levy's bio on the car vendor's website states, "In 2019, Percy received executive clemency from Governor Inslee, propelling his mission to reform the criminal legal system, with a focus on sentencing reform and advocacy for those affected by the 'war on crime.'"

It appears he rejoined the losing side in that war.

Levy was arrested on March 13 after a traffic stop in Everett, Washington, and slapped with 11 Class B felony charges, including two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, and eight counts of possession of controlled substances with attempt to sell. Each charge carries with it a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

'I would not change it for the world.'

The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office indicated that Levy's arrest followed a 16-month investigation by the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, a multi-agency partnership consisting of local, state, and federal detective and special agents.

Detectives with the SRDTF reportedly secured a warrant for Levy's residence, not far from where he was ultimately pulled over. At the scene, they apparently found 2,818 grams of powder cocaine, 14.7 grams of crack cocaine, and 556 grams of fentanyl — enough to kill well over 250,000 people, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Detectives also found ample evidence signaling intent to distribute the drugs as well as a handgun.

Hours before his arrest, Levy testified remotely to the Washington State House Public Safety Committee. He provided insights regarding proposed legislation that would remove the requirement that Department of Corrections must provide convicts being released from prison with the least expensive method of public transportation.

Democratic Washington state Rep. Roger Goodman congratulated Levy on his "successful transition" from prison life.

KIRO-TV indicated that Levy is being held on a $1.5 million bond.

In his autobiographic statement on the Redemption Project of Washington website, Levy noted, "What more could I ask than having the privilege of actively working to smooth the road for the release of those back inside? It is fulfilling on a level that is surreal to me. I would not change it for the world."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Stupid crooks smash flatbed truck through store doors, try stealing ATM using cable attached to truck — and fail miserably



A pair of brain cell-deprived males in Washington state smashed through the double doors of a Walgreens with a flatbed truck and tried to steal an ATM inside store with a cable attached to the truck, but their plan failed miserably.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department said deputies were dispatched to a commercial burglary alarm at 4:41 a.m. Dec. 9. When they arrived at a Walgreens in the 12000 block of Pacific Ave. S in Parkland, officials said the store's front doors were completed destroyed and the ATM was heavily damaged. Parkland is about 20 minutes south of Tacoma.

'This reminded me of a Three Stooges episode minus one stooge.'

Deputies reviewed surveillance video that shows the suspects using a flatbed pickup truck to smash through the front doors, officials said, adding that the suspects then hooked a cable to the ATM and used the truck to attempt to drag it away.

Authorities said the cable ended up snapping the ATM in half, but the area that holds the cash was still intact and bolted to the floor.

You can view surveillance videos here of their ill-fated caper.

The suspects made a second attempt before fleeing in the truck, officials said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about this incident to submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

How are people reacting?

Sarcasm has been on overdrive among commenters on the sheriff's department Facebook page about the incident — particularly in regard to one suspect whose pants were seen on video hanging low around his thighs:

  • "This reminded me of a Three Stooges episode minus one stooge," one commenter noted.
  • "Plate left on the truck, so obviously stolen. Safety vest & low drawers? Hell of a team!" another user cracked.
  • "Bet they moved faster in that 2 minutes than a full 8-hour work day!" another commenter opined.
  • "Don't you think if you were planning to commit a crime you would at least make sure your pants wouldn't fall off," another user said.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Teen girl says father threatened her with 'honor killing' before allegedly trying to strangle her outside Washington state HS



A teen girl said her father threatened her with an "honor killing" before allegedly trying to strangle her outside a Washington state high school.

It all went down outside Timberline High in Lacey on Oct. 18, KOMO-TV reported. Lacey is a few minutes east of Olympia and just over an hour southwest of Seattle.

The girl’s mother, Zahraa Ali, also was grabbing at her daughter and choking her, KOMO said, citing court documents. Investigators told the station the girl’s father also punched her boyfriend.

The 17-year-old victim told investigators her father's "honor killing" threat came after she refused to go to another country for an arranged marriage with an older man, KOMO said, citing court records.

The station noted that she reportedly went to her school for help, which led to the confrontation outside the school.

Josh Wagner told KOMO he was driving with his family near the high school when he noticed what he thought was a group of kids fighting. But as Wagner jumped in to break it up, the station said he realized it was a man choking a girl.

“The dad was on his back, and his daughter was on top of him, and he had her in a choke hold,” Wagner explained to KOMO.

He added to the station that "it was pretty angering. I didn't know what was going on, why it was happening. All the kids were screaming, yelling.”

Court records state Ihsan Ali was choking his 17-year-old daughter “to the point where she had lost consciousness” as other students, including the girl’s boyfriend, tried to pull her away, KOMO reported.

“What I saw was the adult male had the teenager in a headlock, choking her from the back, so I removed his arm from her, and then she got up and ran with another kid, who [I] come to find out was her boyfriend, and she was the daughter of the adult male,” Wagner added to the station. “So then I just held him on the ground 'til the police arrived, and then [they] handcuffed him and searched him and then moved him to the police car.”

The girl’s mother, Zahraa Ali, also was grabbing at her daughter and choking her, KOMO said, citing court documents. Investigators told the station the girl’s father also punched her boyfriend.

Victor Barnes — whose son was one of the students trying to stop the attack — told the station that the girl's father punched his son "in the face" and then tried "to kill his daughter."

The girl soon got away and ran into the school screaming, “My dad was trying to kill me, he was trying to kill me,” which prompted a lockdown as school staff blocked the girl’s parents from getting to her, KOMO said, citing court documents.

The girl's parents were arrested and are facing criminal charges, including assault, attempted murder, and attempted kidnapping, the station said.

'A lot of these stories exist, a lot of these stories are out here, some aren’t able to be heard for whatever reason.'

The parents appeared in court Wednesday, the Chronicle reported — which then added the following additional details about the incident:

Court papers indicate the victim ran away from home the day before the attack and went to Timberline High School, where she was a former student, seeking help from staff. A counselor was assisting her with finding a room at Safe Haven and the victim planned to take a city bus there after school got out but was allegedly pulled off the bus by her father.

The mother's bail is set at $500,000; the father's bail is set at $1 million, the Chronicle noted, adding that both parents are in custody at the Thurston County jail. Their next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Dec. 4, the paper added.

“This isn’t right, and the more we continue to allow these types of actions to take place in a society where ... the climate is what it is right now, post-election, there's just no place for that type of activity anywhere,” Barnes told KOMO.

He added to the station that "a lot of these stories exist, a lot of these stories are out here, some aren’t able to be heard for whatever reason. I just want people to be aware these stories do exist.”

Barnes also told KOMO that issues with the Ali family had been going on for months — and a prior physical incident forced a temporary protection order against the mother, Zarhaa Ali. The station said court records indicate she also was banned from stepping upon school property after the prior incident.

KOMO reached out to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to see if the agency is investigating the Ali family, but the station said it was told child welfare records are confidential.

You can view a video report here about the incident.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Boy, 15, claims brother killed 'whole family' before killing himself. But sister, 11, survives — and tells different story.



Five members of a family were found fatally shot in their Seattle-area home earlier this week. A 15-year-old boy is accused of murdering his parents and three siblings, but he claimed his brother carried out the murders before committing suicide.

However, the boy's 11-year-old sister who survived the massacre refuted her brother's murder-suicide story and declared that her 15-year-old brother is the killer.

The sister said she survived because she played dead and exited the house through a window.

Shortly before 5 a.m. Monday, two adults and three children were found dead inside their waterfront home in Fall City — approximately 25 miles east of Seattle.

WAPT reported that the King County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as Mark Humiston, 43; Sarah Humiston, 42; and their children Benjamin Humiston, 13; Joshua Humiston, 9; and Katheryn Humiston, 7.

The family’s father was shot four times and the mother was shot twice, the probable cause statement says.

The family's only survivors are an 11-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy.

The 15-year-old boy notified the King County Sheriff's Office of the murders. He told police his 13-year-old brother "just shot my whole family and committed suicide, too," a sheriff's detective wrote in a probable cause statement, according to NBC News.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the 15-year-old told a 911 operator that his brother did the shooting because he had gotten in trouble for looking at pornography.

However, the 11-year-old sister survived the mass shooting and contradicted her brother's account of the murders.

The girl told investigators that her 15-year-old brother shot her and her family with a Glock handgun that belonged to their father, according to the probable cause statement.

The girl informed investigators that the 15-year-old shot her and left the room; she then heard someone shouting "stop" and "help" before she escaped, the detective wrote.

The sister said she survived because she played dead and exited the house through a window. She then ran to a neighbor's home.

The girl was hospitalized and has since been discharged, a spokesperson for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle stated.

The girl told police the handgun was kept in a lockbox, and her 15-year-old brother was the only sibling who knew the combination, the probable cause statement says.

A few minutes after the 15-year-old called police, the neighbor called 911 to report that the 11-year-old had just survived a shooting by her teen brother, according to the affidavit.

The judge ordered the teenager — who's being held in a detention facility for juveniles — to have no contact with his surviving sibling.

Detectives determined that the 15-year-old attempted to frame his deceased brother for the murder of his parents and siblings and arrested him when they arrived at the crime scene.

The 15-year-old "staged the scene prior to the arrival of first responders" to make it appear that the 13-year-old brother committed the murders and then died by suicide, a detective wrote.

King County Detective Aaron Thompson wrote in the probable cause statement that the suspect "systematically murdered his mother, father, two brothers, and sister, and attempted to murder his other sister."

On Thursday, the 15-year-old was charged with five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in juvenile court. All six criminal counts were filed with a designation that they were acts of domestic violence, according to the prosecuting attorney's office. The attempted murder count has a firearms enhancement, which allows for a more severe sentence if the suspect is convicted.

However, prosecutors filed a motion seeking a “discretionary decline hearing,” in which they would make the case that juvenile court should decline jurisdiction and have the case transferred to adult court — a process that could take months, according to the Seattle Times.

The outlet noted that 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds accused of murder and other serious violent crimes automatically can be charged as adults. However, a discretionary decline hearing is required to charge suspects 15 years old and younger as adults.

The teen's defense attorneys — Molly Campera and Amy Parker — said during a Tuesday hearing that "our client is a 15-year-old boy who enjoys mountain biking and fishing and has no criminal history. ... The law says our client is presumed innocent of these charges, and we are grateful for a judicial process that requires proof and evidence before there is a judgment."

The judge ordered the teenager — who's being held in a detention facility for juveniles — to have no contact with his surviving sibling.

The father worked as an electrical engineer for Hargis Engineers.

“We are blindsided and saddened by the tragic events that have led to the loss of a respected colleague, mentor, and friend, as well as the loss of immediate family members,” the company said in a statement. The man’s “leadership and vision were integral within our firm, and he will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his surviving family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Elementary school principal says swastika is 'symbol of peace' in some religions — and backlash is swift



The backlash was swift after an elementary school principal in Washington state said the swastika is a "symbol of peace" in some religions — and now the principal is on administrative leave.

A swastika was found Monday on a wall at Phantom Lake Elementary School in Bellevue, KOMO-TV reported. After the discovery, the school district said Principal Heather Snookal sent two messages, KIRO-TV reported.

'To me, it is the most warped version of inclusion we could come up with to ask Jewish families in this day and age to be tolerant of the swastika.'

In her first message — a school text alert — the principal wrote that such "symbols of hate" have surfaced in their school and that the swastika was removed immediately, KOMO said, adding that the principal also encouraged families to communicate with their children the importance of respecting others and standing up against hate.

Hours later, parents shared with KOMO an email from the principal with the subject line: "Follow-up on recent incident and cultural awareness." The station said the principal in the email apologized for not acknowledging in her initial text alert that while a swastika is often associated with hate and intolerance, it's important to acknowledge the swastika also has deep historical and cultural significance in other parts of the world. She also thanked members of the community for bringing it to her attention, the station added.

KOMO noted that the principal wrote, in part:

In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other ancient cultures, the swastika is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good fortune. We recognize that for many of our families, this symbol has a positive and spiritual meaning, completely unrelated to the hateful associations it took on in more recent history.

As a school committed to inclusivity and cultural understanding, we want to ensure that our students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and celebrated. We also want to make sure our community is educated about the diverse meanings and histories behind symbols like the swastika so that we can all avoid misunderstandings that could inadvertently marginalize or hurt our students.

The station said several parents called the second message "unacceptable," that they told her so in an email, and that some planned to meet with her Monday after school. But KOMO said it learned before the end of the school day that the Bellevue School District put the principal on administrative leave and launched an investigation.

The station noted the following statement from the district:

There is absolutely no place for hate in the Bellevue School District. In a time where words and symbols are used to divide us, we are working with administrators, staff, and students to call our community in for courageous conversations to affirm each other’s cultures, beliefs, and identities.

We share in the burden and pain that our Jewish families feel regarding the rise in antisemitism locally and across our country. Bellevue, like other districts, has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly this past year, and we are taking action to address it. Vandalism on a playground using a swastika is antisemitic and goes against our district’s commitment to building what Dr. King championed as 'The Beloved Community' — a place where people truly care for one another, and there is no hunger, poverty, or hate.

Superintendent Aramaki recently sent out a blog post sharing his commitment to addressing antisemitism in our district. This incident will be investigated and addressed according to our policies and procedures. We acknowledge the pain that every incident like this has on our whole community, but especially on our Jewish community.

Tirzah Dondanville, a parent with two daughters at the school, told KOMO that "there is no reason why a symbol of hatred should be on our school grounds or given any equivocation. To me, it is the most warped version of inclusion we could come up with to ask Jewish families in this day and age to be tolerant of the swastika."

But another parent told KIRO that the principal "is not erasing what happened to the Jewish community whatsoever. Because you know we all know about it. We all know what happened. But like she said, many symbols do mean different things for different cultures, so we cannot disassociate what one person did and forget what this symbol means to everyone else."

You can view a video report here about the controversy.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!