About 100 headstones were knocked over at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, authorities say.
"It's criminal. This is beyond vandalism," Northeast Detectives Capt. Shawn Thrush told philly.com on Sunday. "It's beyond belief."
Mount Carmel Cemetery is in the city's Wissinoming section, the news website said.
My heart breaks for the families who found loved ones' headstones toppled. We stand w/our Jewish brothers & sisters https://t.co/tBq9Mtxtqr
-- Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) February 26, 2017Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said, "We are doing all we can to find the perpetrators who desecrated this final resting place, and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
He added that his "heart breaks for the families who found their loved ones' headstones toppled this morning. ... Hate is not permissible in Philadelphia."
The vandalism of Jewish headstones at a Phila. cemetery is a cowardly, disturbing act. We must find those responsible and hold accountable. https://t.co/6eM0G2tC4S
-- Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) February 26, 2017Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called the vandalism a "cowardly, disturbing act."
In recent weeks there were 30 headstones toppled at another Philadelphia cemetery and nearly 200 headstones were damaged at Jewish cemetery outside St. Louis, pennlive.com said.
The Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect called on President Trump to "deliver a prime-time televised speech, live from the Oval Office, on how you intend to combat not only #Antisemitism," but also #Islamophobia and other rising forms of hate."
Jewish graves in Philadelphia now vandalized. Stop this incubator of #Antisemitism and other hate. WE BEG YOU @POTUS @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/RHuIjdE2Yg
-- AnneFrankCenter(US) (@AnneFrankCenter) February 26, 2017Vice President Mike Pence last week visited the cemetery near St. Louis and called the vandalism there a "vile act."
"We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those that perpetrate it in the strongest possible terms," Pence said, according to pennlive.com
Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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