Laguna Woods Mayor Carol Moore offered a statement Friday condemning an antisemitic incident that occurred on March 7.
The incident involved a woman with a swastika arm band who was walking by the Laguna Woods clubhouse in the late afternoon. When a man confronted her, she used an antisemitic slur. The woman allegedly threatened him. Several other people became involved in the altercation.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies recommended hate crime charges. The Anti-Defamation League asked city officials to condemn the incident, but a statement did not come until March 25.
“Our delay in publicly responding was based on allowing the investigation to proceed to its conclusion rapidly and without prejudice,” said Mayor Moore. “We condemn the alleged conduct and any hateful behavior. Thank you to [ADL Orange County/Long Beach Director Peter Levi] for speaking out.”
The city’s official condemnation calls the incident “abhorrent, inexcusable, and antithetical to the character and values of our community.”