Here’s what we know about the antisemitic rallies in San Antonio

In a letter addressed to the community, the Jewish Federation says the “antisemitic hate group was across the street spewing hateful rhetoric and waving Holocaust denial messages.” 

Here’s what we’ve learned since the incident: 

It’s unclear who the group is associated with 

Photos of the banners posted on social media have “Infowars” scribbled on the side, but it’s unclear if the conspiracy theorist group is directly tied to the actions. The Jewish group and local leaders call the group “outsiders” to the city. 

This isn’t the first anti-Jewish incident in recent days

According to the letter, flyers with hate speech have also been distributed in San Antonio neighborhoods in recent days.

Police were also called to a protest outside Cornerstone Church on Sunday during a “Night to Honor Israel.” Men in “Nazi T-shirts” were part of that incident, the San Antonio Express-News reported. 

According to a San Antonio Police report obtained by the San Antonio Express-News, the antisemitic group got as close as the church’s doors and used a bullhorn to yell “all kinds of names and racial slurs” at security guards. 

Local and federal enforcement was on site

The Jewish Federation says law enforcement from both local and federal agencies showed up “immediately” on Monday to maintain safety. Though racist, the actions are considered protected speech under the First Amendment. A hate crime is defined as offenses such as “murder, arson, or vandalism with an added element of bias,” according to the FBI. The Jewish Federations letter to the community says that the protest was “aggressive,” in messaging but did not come in direct contact with anyone. 

What is the FBI’s involvement? 

The FBI is working with local law enforcement. In a statement provided to the San Antonio Express-News, the FBI said that “If, in the course of the local investigation, information comes to light of a potential federal violation, the FBI is prepared to investigate.” 

Austin protests 

Similar groups hung antisemitic banners on overpasses in Austin on Tuesday afternoon. The group was also present on Saturday, according to KXAN. The group responsible for that incident are “fans of Infowars,” the TV station reported. 

San Antonio officials stand in solidarity 

Tuesday evening, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, whose father is Jewish, released the following statement: 

“Amid a rise of antisemitic incidents in our community, we must stand with our Jewish neighbors and reject the hatred and ignorance that endangers the spirit of our entire city. San Antonio will not tolerate these heinous acts and we will never give a platform to white nationalists.” 

District 9 Councilman John Courage, whose district encompasses the area where the antisemitic gathering occurred, also released a statement saying the city has “zero tolerance” for anyone “seeking to sow hate and incite violence.” 

“These professional out of town agitators are hiding behind the first amendment to bring fear to our Jewish community,” he says in a statement. “I want our Jewish neighbors to know we stand with them but refuse to give these anti-Semites any more media attention. They are not welcome here.” 

Manny Pelaez, whose District 8 neighbors Courage’s, also released a statement echoing that of Nirenberg and his fellow council member. 

“My San Antonio overwhelmingly rejects hatred, bigotry, and racism. Protests like these are a nothing but sleazy attempts to dehumanize those whom I call my friends and neighbors.”