Philadelphia, January 5, 2026
Racist and antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas, was found at Roxborough High School in Philadelphia, prompting an investigation by local authorities. Community members responded by organizing a cleanup and writing positive messages in chalk. Officials condemned the vandalism, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance against hate speech. The incident occurred over the weekend, with community involvement aimed at countering the hateful message.
Philadelphia
Investigation Underway After Racist and Antisemitic Graffiti Discovered at Roxborough High School
Philadelphia – Racist and antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas, was discovered at Roxborough High School on Sunday, prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities. Community members gathered to clean the school and write positive messages in chalk. Officials have strongly condemned the acts of vandalism.
Investigation Initiated
The graffiti appeared on the school building on Saturday night. The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating the incident in conjunction with the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of School Safety. The School District of Philadelphia maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and hate speech.
Community and Official Response
Following the discovery, community members actively participated in cleanup efforts on Sunday, also writing positive messages in chalk on the school sidewalk to counter the hateful messages. State Representative Tarik Khan described the acts as “cowardice,” emphasizing that such actions do not represent the community. Roxborough High School Principal Kristen Williams Smalley also expressed deep disappointment regarding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at Roxborough High School?
- Racist and antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas, was discovered at Roxborough High School on Sunday.
- When did the graffiti appear?
- The graffiti appeared on the school building on Saturday night.
- Who is investigating the incident?
- The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating the incident in conjunction with the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of School Safety.
- How did the community respond?
- Community members actively participated in cleanup efforts on Sunday, also writing positive messages in chalk on the school sidewalk to counter the hateful messages.
- What is the official reaction to the graffiti?
- State Representative Tarik Khan described the acts as “cowardice,” and Roxborough High School Principal Kristen Williams Smalley expressed deep disappointment regarding the incident.
Key Incident Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Roxborough High School, Philadelphia |
| Incident | Discovery of racist and antisemitic graffiti, including swastikas |
| Time of Appearance | Saturday night |
| Discovery and Cleanup | Sunday |
| Immediate Response | Community cleanup and chalking positive messages |
| Investigation Led By | Philadelphia Police Department and School District of Philadelphia’s Office of School Safety |
| Official Stance | Condemned as “cowardice,” zero-tolerance policy for hate speech |
Now Happening on X
- @6abc (January 2, 2026, 3:00 PM): Reports on Philadelphia’s ongoing domestic violence crisis, highlighting resources for survivors and perpetrators amid a rise in related homicides. View on X
- @KYWNewsradio (December 31, 2025, 6:33 AM): Notes an increase in domestic violence-related homicides in Philly this year, with officials promoting free resources to help survivors and those in abusive situations escape. View on X
- @6abc (December 30, 2025, 4:00 AM): Covers a historic drop in homicides in Philadelphia, emphasizing that while numbers are lower, efforts to improve public safety must continue. View on X
- @NENA_Alerts (December 30, 2025, 12:32 PM): Alerts to a stabbing incident at 1746 N Wilton St in Philadelphia, with a subject stabbed at the location and no suspect information available yet. View on X
- @NENA_Alerts (December 30, 2025, 5:02 PM): Reports shots fired at 1822 S Ringgold St in Philadelphia, where two casings were found but no victim or suspect information was reported. View on X
- @WHYYNews (December 29, 2025, 12:00 PM): Announces Philadelphia’s Code Blue declaration from 3 p.m. Monday due to wind chill below 20 degrees, providing details on support for residents and how to access or offer help. View on X
- @NENA_Alerts (January 4, 2026, 4:18 AM): Details a water main break at Port Royal Ave & Harner St in Philadelphia, with fire department on scene and police handling traffic control at emergency speed. View on X
- @MyTransitPhilly (January 2, 2026, 11:15 AM): Shares a morning roundup including SEPTA’s challenging year, a drop in murders, and Mummers photos relevant to Philadelphia transit and local news. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Princeton Claims Road Win Against Penn in Ivy League Opener
MaST Community Charter School III Boys’ Basketball Team Breaks Losing Streak
University of Pennsylvania Men’s Basketball Falls Short Against George Mason
Quakers Prepare for Non-Conference Showdown with Patriots
Roxborough High School Prepares for Rivalry Match Against George Washington High School
West Philadelphia High School Basketball Team Wins Again
Exploring Philadelphia’s Top-Ranked High Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
Exploring Philadelphia’s Top-Ranked High Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
How to Navigate Philadelphia’s Property Listings Like a Seasoned Pro: Essential Tips for Buyers
Priority Restoration Expands Emergency Services Ahead of Storm Season
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
