Video Shows Man Sought by Police After Taping Anti-Semitic Fliers to Church Doors
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 4, 2018)
Ferndale, MI- Leaders at Ferndale United Methodist Church were shocked to find anti-Semitic fliers taped to the doors of the church before Sunday morning service. The fliers showed an image of conspiracy-theorist Alex Jones of Info Wars with a Star of David over his mouth, with caricatures of Jewish men on each side rubbing their hands together.
“The Jews came for the Daily Stormer, and I said nothing… they are coming for YOUR free speech next,” the flier read.
Beneath the cartoon was a list of websites that had been removed from website hosts for containing hate speech. The fliers claim to be “brought to you by your local Stormer book club.”
Sgt. Baron Brown of the Ferndale Police said they are investigating, but “No crime has occurred so far.” They released footage of the man who posted the fliers in hopes of identifying him.
He said there are unconfirmed reports that similar fliers were also found at Arts, Beats, and Eats in Royal Oak. A video of the man suspected of leaving the fliers has also been found at an undisclosed location. Brown said that at this time police are not releasing info as to where the video was taken.
Jill Allison Warren is the wife of Reverend Robert Schoenhals.  The couple found the fliers when they came in Sunday morning.
“Our members are horrified this happened  We understand that hate exists in the world and we need to stand up to it,” Warren said. It’s unclear why the church was targeted, but Warren suspects it may be because of the church’s clear support of humanitarian causes.  The church is a sanctuary place for undocumented immigrants, a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and LGBT equality, and currently has a display of ribbons on their fence in memory of the lives lost in Charlottesville, VA just over a year ago during a neo-Nazi rally.
Warren said that prior to the incident with the fliers they began talking with leaders of other faiths to host an event that would bring together people of different faiths for a “meet your neighbors” themed dinner and discussion.
“There is no room for anti-Semitism in this community,” Warren said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Ferndale Police at 248-541-3650.

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