San Francisco

Swastika Torn Down at Sacramento Area Home, “Terrorism” Sign Goes Up: Cell Phone Video

A California man put up a new sign on his house Tuesday, a day after a protester tore down swastikas posters and a wooden statue that accompanied the display.

The new sign on the front door of the Sacramento home reads "TERRORISM?'' in blue text, according to The Sacramento Bee.

In the initial signs, swastikas replaced the blue Star of David on an Israeli flag and the stars on an American flag.
 
Neighbors, state lawmakers and the Anti-Defamation League had urged the homeowner to take down the offensive signs but acknowledge he has a right to free speech.

A protester named Robert Dixon took responsibility for damaging the display, according to the Bee.

Dixon, who said he is neither Jewish nor a former military member, said he protested at UC Davis a few weeks ago after the student senate adopted a resolution calling for the University of California to divest itself of businesses with ties to Israeli military actions.

He also attended a Monday night rally at the state Capitol denouncing acts of anti-Semitism. After the rally, “I felt compelled to do what I did,” Dixon said in a telephone interview Tuesday evening with the Bee.

"This is despicable, what this man did,'' Dixon said of the homeowner. "I am going to do what I think needed to be done for this neighborhood, for these people. God bless America.''

NBC affiliate KCRA has tried speaking with the homeowner, who has declined comment. But the Sacramento TV station did obtain cell phone video of a man ripping down the signs and putting up his own message on the home. A white pickup was parked on the side of the home, which also displays a Palestinean flag.

NBC Bay Area's Lisa Fernandez contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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