Bags with antisemitic flyers and what may be rat poison placed in Chicago

Dozens of antisemitic flyers, many of which were placed in bags with what is suspected to be rat poison, were found in Chicago’s Lincoln Park area on Monday morning, 43 Ward Alderman Timmy Knudsen said in a statement.

A resident of his ward had alerted his office about the flyers, and the Chicago Police Department had begun an investigation, he said.

The Chicago Police Department said it had recovered 84 clear ziplock bags on vehicles and doorways. The bags contained “a flyer and an unknown substance.”

Some of the flyers reportedly had the logo of the Anti-Defamation League. In a social-media post on Sunday, the NGO said it was aware of the flyers and had spoken to both Knudsen and the police.

Not the first time for such incidents

Knudsen said it was not the first time such incidents had occurred in the area, and he warned the perpetrators that he would hold them accountable.

“To the people who are spreading these flyers, I have a clear message: You are committing acts of hate,” Knudsen said. “Your threats against the Jewish community are repulsive, and vile, and will not be tolerated in our community.”

Knudsen said he would stand by Chicago’s Jewish community against antisemitism and to ensure their safety.

“While whoever is spreading these messages is seeking to spread hate and fear, know that my office and our governing partners are committed to ensuring that Chicago remains a place where everyone is celebrated, included, and safe,” Knudsen said.

ADL Midwest thanked Knudsen for his support and called on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

“Chicago residents continue to be targeted with antisemitic and white supremacist propaganda,” the ADL said.