Destruction of menorah at Lake Merritt sparks hate crime investigation

State Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) issued a statement denouncing what she considered “an act of cowardice.” “The menorah at Lake Merritt is a longstanding symbol and celebration of our East Bay Jewish community,” Skinner said.

Pieces of the heavy steel candelabra lay strewn on the sidewalk near 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard on Wednesday morning. Video footage distributed by Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council, showed scattered debris and profanity-laced graffiti on an empty cement podium.

The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, police said.

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