Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has strongly denounced recent neo-Nazi protests outside synagogues in Macon and near Atlanta. These demonstrations, which occurred on Friday and Saturday, involved individuals waving swastika flags and displaying antisemitic materials.
Governor Kemp expressed his outrage on Twitter, stating that such hatred and antisemitism have no place in Georgia. He affirmed his solidarity with those condemning these acts of bigotry and pledged continued vigilance against such displays.
The incident near Atlanta involved approximately a dozen individuals gathered outside an East Cobb synagogue during services. Local officials have identified these individuals as members of a small group known to travel nationwide spreading hateful messages. The Chabad of Cobb County, in a statement, confirmed their collaboration with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their community and emphasized the absence of any immediate threat.
In Macon, a similar protest took place on Friday with about 15 individuals shouting antisemitic messages outside Temple Beth Israel. These demonstrations sparked widespread condemnation and prompted a gathering of hundreds at Temple Beth Israel to counter the display of hate.
Senator Raphael Warnock also voiced his concern on Twitter, calling for an end to such acts and expressing support for the Jewish community in Georgia and beyond. He emphasized the need for collective action against this hate.
These incidents highlight a concerning trend of rising antisemitism across the country. A report from the Anti-Defamation League revealed a 120% increase in antisemitic incidents in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee in 2022 compared to the previous year. Georgia alone witnessed a 63% rise in such incidents during the same period.
Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, speaks on Nov. 8, 2022. Kemp condemned two antisemitic demonstrations that took place outside synagogues near Atlanta last week. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
