By Erin Levi
MacDonald Park in historic Forest Hills, adjacent to the Bukharian Jewish Community Center, recently suffered antisemitic vandalism during a pro-Palestinian protest on October 7, 2023. Antisemitic fliers were glued all over, thankfully swiftly removed the following day, but the same cannot be said for the red paint, which remains on the cement wall.
The «Friends of MacDonald Park,» a grassroots organization of volunteers, condemned the act on their Facebook page: “What a shame that destroying public property now goes hand in hand with protests in NYC with no punishment. To clean this will take a huge effort and BIG $$$’s. Our tax dollars.”
This vandalism comes shortly after community volunteers, including St. John’s University seniors, revitalized the park by cleaning the median on Queens Boulevard, removing nearly 20 bags of trash and weeds. As the community works to restore the park, it serves as a reminder of the resilience and cooperation needed to combat such challenges.
