Wave of anti-Semitic threats end in vandalization horror - But repairs have already begun

'We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers.'

Over 150 gravestones were vandalized at the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, MO.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Following several anti-Semitic threats across the United States, someone finally turned their threats into action.

Headstones were overturned at the historic Jewish cemetery, leading to national outrage.

Detective Lt. Fredrick Lemons II stated police have been investigating the incident and are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the area to help determine at what time the vandalism occurred.

Tuesday Lt. Lemons stated: "There's nothing to indicate it was any type of hate crime," though the nation strongly disagrees.

Even Ivanka Trump took to Twitter to say: "America is a nation built on the principle of religious tolerance. We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers."

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also took to Twitter. They re-posted Ivanka's message and commented: "Glad to see this. All Jews need to urge [the President] to step forward & share a plan. His words carry weight. His actions will speak even louder."

The ADL posted pictures of the destroyed headstones and added the caption: "We need educators to teach against hate. "We need activists to fight back. We need our leaders to lead. #NoHate"

Gov. Eric Greitens wrote a message to his Facebook page stating: "Today, Missouri witnessed a despicable act of what appears to be anti-Semitic vandalism...this vandalism was a cowardly act. And we also know that, together, we can meet cowardice with courage.

"Anyone who would seek to divide us through an act of desecration will find instead that they unite us in shared determination. From their pitiful act of ugliness, we can emerge even more powerful in our faith. Whoever did this slipped into a cemetery to break things. We will stand together in the open to rebuild them, stronger."

Gov. Greitens reported he would be joining a group of volunteers Wednesday, February 22 to help clean the cemetery. He called for other volunteers to come with "rakes, large garbage cans and garbage bags, work gloves, five-gallon buckets, non-chlorine bleach, and wash rags" to help rebuild.

Governor Greitens' statement about unity was correct. According to Fox4, two Muslim groups started an online fundraising campaign with a $20,000 goal to help financially back cemetery's repairs.

They met their goal within three hours and continue to accept donations to "assist other vandalized Jewish centers nationwide."

As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser received $78,303.

Repairs continue as the nations shows its unity to offer time, donations and prayers for those affected by the horrible act of vandalism. Please continue to pray for peace and unity across the nation.

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