Libraries Painted With Racist Graffiti

Thu., Sept. 3, 1998

Swastikas and other racist graffiti were discovered early Wednesday painted on the outside of two Spokane Valley libraries, said Mike Wirts, director of the Spokane County Library District.

Employees discovered the vandalism at the Argonne Library, 4322 N. Argonne, and the Valley Library, 12004 E. Main, when they came to work Wednesday morning.

Several swastikas and the words ein volk, or “one people” in German, were painted on the Argonne branch. Similar symbols and the date April 15 were on the walls and windows of the Valley branch, Wirts said.

By the end of the day, they had been painted over and removed from window areas.

Sheriff’s deputies have no suspects and are investigating it as a hate crime.

The incident comes two days after a man sketching anti-Semitic pictures sparked a confrontation at a Spokane City Council meeting.

Philadelphia attorney Mark Schwartz, who is Jewish, said an unidentified man sitting three seats away from him at the council meeting angled a piece of paper toward him that had the Star of David with the letter “J” in the center.

The symbol was used during the Holocaust to identify Jews.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.