There are many, many good people in Iowa. But, like anywhere else, there are also people with hate in their hearts. These people tend to make the most noise, rattle the most cages, and often inadvertently bring people together. Such is the situation with graffiti spray-painted on a COVID vaccine billboard.

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New graffiti displays an anti-Semitic message... I think

The billboard that was vandalized was a CDC-sponsored message encouraging Iowans to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with a website people with questions about the vaccine can get answers. However, someone spray-painted the yellow billboard with submit to genocide goyim. The story was initially reported by KWWL.

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The word "goyim" is a derogatory term that refers to non-Jewish people. There are a few issues here, number one, the word isn't always offensive - the KWWL report discusses. This is what makes the message on the billboard so confusing. What was the author's intent? Other than to look ignorant. The story goes on to say that there are no religious Jews in Oelwein.

We are disheartened with this display of hate ... We recognize that this does not reflect the core values of those in our community, and we will continue to work towards tolerance and understanding by and for everyone equally. -Oelwein Police Chief Jeremy Logan via KWWL

The billboard is located on Highway 150 near 12th Street Southeast. Authorities have removed the derogatory message. No one has claimed responsibility for the message. The Anti-Defamation League has said that there have been several false conspiracy theories claiming Jewish people have profited off the vaccine and used it to expand global influence in the last number of months.

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