Photo from ABC News |
In interviews with the local media Johnson, a 65 year old retired welder has claimed
the swastika is a symbol of “peace tranquility
and harmony. ” He has claimed "It's a Tibetan sign that's way back before swastikas were
invented" Asked whether he is Tibetan, he replied: "I could be.” He has also
stated "I like swastikas…I think they look cool. I didn't do it to get
attention. I'm not a worshiper of Nazis. I just thought it'd be a cool thing to
put in there." Eventually, Johnson declared
"I own this house I'll put what I want. It ain't none of your guys'
business" .
Johnson’s proclamation
of innocence regarding this symbol of Nazi
Germany, associated with the deaths of 17 million people, including 6 million
Jews flies in the face of this post on his Facebook page
An online petition was started, urging Johnson to remove the concrete symbol, which he claims cost $800 dollars to
install. Thousands have signed.
From the petition:
Then we heard that in June, 2019 a member of our community erected a 10 foot by 10 foot swastika in his front yard. A swastika, which once was a religious symbol, is now widely recognized as an international symbol of hate. In the last 100 years, under the banner of the swastika millions of Jewish, Roma, gay, and other people were brutally slaughtered.
The presence of a swastika in our community makes many people feel unsafe to live in a community that tolerates visible expressions of hate and bigotry. Therefore, we are calling on this person to remove the swastika.
We came together and took a stand in our community when hate reared its head in the past. Many businesses and homes have a Not In Our Town: El Sobrante sign posted. We are speaking out now to show our neighbors that we want to keep El Sobrante as a welcoming community, free of intolerance and hate.
Please add your name and circulate to your neighbors.
Steve Johnson seems surprised and unprepared for the backlash. He claims his car and two pickup trucks have been egged, and his answering machine has been filled with messages from unhappy neighbors. Johnson has recently covered the swastika with blankets
What can to do to
fight back against open displays of hate and intolerance in our community?
Please sign the petition, and show up on June 20, for a community wide rally sponsored by El Sobrante Indivisible, between 4-6 pm at the corner of San Pablo Dam Road and Appian Way
(Near 4071 San Pablo Dam Road)
Please sign the petition, and show up on June 20, for a community wide rally sponsored by El Sobrante Indivisible, between 4-6 pm at the corner of San Pablo Dam Road and Appian Way
(Near 4071 San Pablo Dam Road)
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