‘Hate Has No Place in Our State’: Antisemitic Flyers in Suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia Draw Condemnation

Police were investigating the distribution of antisemitic flyers in two suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, last weekend, as state and local leaders voiced their condemnation of the act of hate.

The flyers — contained in plastic bags weighed down by rocks — were thrown in the yards and driveways of homes in predominantly Jewish areas of the Sandy Springs and Dunwoody municipalities, just north of Atlanta.

This modus operandi was consistent with a nationwide flyering campaign perpetrated across the U.S. over the past year and a half by the neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League (GDL) to promote antisemitic conspiracy theories, including blaming Jews for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The front of the flyers found in Georgia last Sunday were headlined with the statement, “Every single aspect of the Jewish Talmud is satanic.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp denounced the flyers, declaring, “This kind of hate has no place in our state and the individuals responsible do not share Georgia’s values.”

This kind of hate has no place in our state and the individuals responsible do not share Georgia’s values. If needed, state law enforcement stands ready to assist @SandySprings_PD and @DunwoodyPolice in their investigations.

We will always condemn acts of antisemitism. https://t.co/pgtEf6i8Mj

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) February 5, 2023

Georgia State Representative Esther Panitch was among those whose homes were targeted.

“Welcome to being a Jew in Georgia,” she tweeted.

Welcome to being a Jew in Georgia-my driveway this morning.@SandySprings_PD came & took for testing. Govern yourselves accordingly, GDL and Anti-Semites who seek to harm/intimidate Jews in Georgia. I’m coming for you with the weight of the State behind me. #gapol @ADL @GBI_GA 1/2

— Esther Panitch (@epanitch) February 5, 2023

Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch commented, “I stand with our Jewish community and all who face intolerance. I believe that love always conquers hate. Please be good to each other.”

This morning, many Dunwoody residents, of many faiths, woke up to really disturbing anti-Semitic fliers that were dropped in their driveways. The purpose of activities like this is to cause fear and divide us.

— Mayor Lynn Deutsch (@lynndeutsch) February 5, 2023

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said, “We are a tolerant community, but this is intolerable. If legal charges are possible, they will be brought.”

Sandy Springs is aware that a number of residents received disturbing, antisemitic fliers earlier this morning. The Sandy Springs Police Department is actively investigating and encourages any citizen receiving such a message or who has any additional information to contact 911

— Sandy Springs, GA (@SandySpringsGA) February 5, 2023

Combat Antisemitism Movement CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa stated, “Perpetrators in the Atlanta suburbs are attempting to stir up hate and violence against the Jewish people. But what they may not have expected was the rebuke of leaders from Georgia from across the aisle, uniting in one voice to say hate has no place in their state. It’s important for city and state leaders to speak up when each and every incident like this occurs throughout the U.S. to ensure we are combatting bigotry at a local level before it begins to spread like wildfire.”