LOS ANGELES — Pasadena police are investigating flyers filled with antisemitic theories regarding COVID-19 Sunday.
The flyers were left in a four-block area of the city stuffed in plastic bags and left on driveways, according to Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Burgess.
The streets on which they were found were Washington Boulevard, Mentor Avenue, Catalina Avenue and Wilson Avenue, according to Pasadena City Spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
Burgess told the Los Angeles Times about a COVID-19 agenda and named several agencies, federal health and corporate officials. The flyers stated that "every single aspect of the COVID agenda is Jewish."
The Pasadena City Council released a statement saying it was standing firm against hate speech of any kind.
"The distribution of antisemitic flyers in Pasadena and other Southern California communities over the weekend is abhorrent and totally antithetical to the values of our city and its residents," the city said in its statement.
"Our thoughts are with our residents and those hurt by these disgusting acts. We know Pasadena residents of all faiths will stand together and speak out against hatred in all its forms."
Anyone with information on who was behind the flyers was asked to call Pasadena police at 626-744-4241.
Beverly Hills police were also investigating flyers filled with antisemitic theories regarding COVID-19 Sunday.
On Saturday, a resident reported finding hate-filled flyers. Officers surveyed the area and found flyers distributed throughout the southwest side of the city similar to those used in an incident on Nov. 28.
The flyer — a single sheet of paper — contains propaganda-style hate speech related to the COVID pandemic and the Jewish people. More than 200 fliers have been collected from the neighborhood.
The Beverly Hills City Council warned that acts of hatred toward members of the community would be rejected outright, issuing a statement saying "As a city that is made up of a diverse population and being one of the only Jewish-majority cities outside of Israel, the city condemns this unwarranted hate speech that has been unsuccessfully used to disparage a community that has, and always will, stand strong together and fight hatred of any kind.
"Senseless acts like this have no home here and will never be accepted. Our community is home to families of survivors of the Holocaust who have seen evil and will never give in to such attacks."
The statement said the police department was investigating the incident and would provide additional patrols supplemented by private security throughout the city to ensure a safe holiday season.