Jonesboro mayor reacts to anti-Semitic packets left on residents’ lawns

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver said Wednesday that packets filled with anti-Semitic propaganda will not be condoned.

The packs were dropped off around 8 p.m. Monday in the Barrington Park neighborhood in Jonesboro, according to residents.

They did not notice the packets until early Tuesday morning.

The packages included a paper with anti-Semitic terminology and slurs, as well as derogatory pictures and slogans of President Joe Biden and his administration.

Copenhaver said in a statement released on social media Wednesday:

Residents described this act as surprising, and now they are taking action to find out who is behind it.

Some residents said they did not receive the package, while others did.

Many said they do not want this type of rhetoric in their neighborhood and are trying to find out who did it.

“We were shocked that anyone would come into our neighborhood and think that was appropriate. We like to keep a close eye on the neighborhood anyway and know who is coming in and out and just something like this, we are just so surprised,” said Tracy Brock, a resident of the neighborhood.

The papers did not say who was responsible for them but did have a website on them.

When you visit the website, it takes you to a page with dozens of videos against the LGBTQIA community, anti-vaccine videos, and several discredited conspiracy theories.

At the bottom of the paper, a note said they were given without malicious intent.

But many of the people who received them believe there was no good intent at all.

A spokesperson for the Jonesboro Police Department said they were “aware these packets were handed out” but could not confirm if the act was under investigation.

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