"Oakland Mayor Demands Hate Crime Probe as Menorah is Vandalized and Thrown into Lake Merritt"

The mayor of Oakland, California, has called for a hate crime investigation after a large public menorah was vandalized and destroyed during Hanukkah celebrations. Pieces of the menorah were thrown into Lake Merritt, and threatening graffiti was painted at the site. The mayor expressed outrage and solidarity with the Jewish community, emphasizing that the incident was an attack on the entire city and its shared values. The rise in antisemitic incidents during the Israel-Hamas conflict has drawn attention to the issue, with over 2,000 incidents reported since October. The Council on American-Islamic Relations also condemned the vandalism, emphasizing the need for collective action against bigotry. The community quickly mobilized to install a new menorah, with support from California's Attorney General.