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Two windows of D.C.'s Char Bar were smashed on Saturday. The vandalism has some neighbors demanding action. Here's why.
WASHINGTON — An act of vandalism is raising the alarm for the Jewish community in D.C. Police are investigating after a restaurant had its windows smashed on Saturday. The timing of crime has the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington demanding answers.
According to a police report, two windows at Char Bar, a kosher restaurant in Northwest D.C. were broken using rocks. Police say no one got into the restaurant, but said that the establishment does not have any surveillance cameras. So far, no arrests have been made
A spokesperson for the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington noted that the vandalism happened on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, or "the night of broken glass." On Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, Jewish homes, stores, schools, synagogues and other buildings were targeted by Nazis in Germany. According to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, an estimated 7,500 Jewish-owned commercial establishments were targeted.
"This vandalism of a Jewish business is deeply disturbing on its own. Its timing on the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, 'the night of broken glass,' raises many more questions and concerns that must be answered," the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington wrote in a statement. "We demand a full investigation and the swift arrest of the perpetrators."
Last night, the windows were smashed at Washington, DC kosher restaurant, Char Bar.
Federation's JShield security division and our partners at @JCRCgw are in close contact with local law enforcement and DC government about the situation.
Read our full message here: pic.twitter.com/t4CjciLjSU
Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Jim Malec, who represents the district where Char Bar is located, called on neighbors to show support for the business.
"I encourage all residents of Foggy Bottom and West End to show our neighbors that they are loved, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that this business, its staff, and its patrons are safe," Malec said on X, formerly Twitter. "It should go without saying that hate has no place in our community. But it's on all of us to translate the sentiment into concrete action."
However, D.C. Police say they are not investigating the vandalism as a hate crime.
"Detectives are continuing to investigate, but at this point there is no information or evidence that this offense was motivated by hate or bias," a police department spokesperson told WUSA9.
Anyone who may have information about the vandalism should contact police at 202-727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.
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