Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Mike Matthews has condemned the anti-Semitic graffiti found at the Mira Costa High School campus last week.

"[W]e have had some disturbing reminders that our work on equity, diversity, social justice, and inclusion remains critical," wrote Matthews in an email to parents on Monday morning. "Staff recently found a swastika drawn onto the sidewalk outside of one of our Mira Costa classrooms. MCHS administration informed MBPD of this anti-Semitic vandalism and the drawing was quickly removed. We have not been able to determine who put this symbol of hate on our campus, but we condemn this behavior and all other acts of hatred in our schools and in our community."

Matthews also referenced a TikTok video that surfaced last week showing youngsters apparently pulling down the pride flag hanging in front of Manhattan Beach City Hall. 

"As I said in my message regarding EDSJI earlier in May, I am not, as some claim, calling our community a racist community. Far from it," continued Matthews. "Rather I am calling on all of us to demonstrate our support for all members of our MBUSD community, regardless of their ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, language, religion, medical history, ability, economic status, family model, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, or age."

Anyone who witnesses or becomes aware of a hate incident may contact MBPD at (310) 545-4566 or may report it through 211LA.