Two German tourists were arrested in Miami Beach after police observed them vandalizing a rainbow bench with a swastika and the words “Adolf was here.” Gunther Jekschtat and Christoph Rehak were taken into custody and charged with criminal mischief. Surveillance footage showed four men near the bench, with one appearing to use a large Sharpie to write the message. Police reported that Rehak drew the swastika while Jekschtat provided cover. Both men said they thought it was a joke. The bench was installed in April as part of Miami Beach’s response to the demolition of a rainbow crosswalk, with related Pride weekend dedication in Lummus Park. Police called the act an egregious act of hate, and prosecutors said the misdemeanor could be enhanced to a hate crime.
"Two German tourists in Miami Beach were arrested on Monday afternoon after police spotted them vandalizing a rainbow bench with a swastika and the words, “Adolf was here.” Gunther Jekschtat, 62, and Christoph Rehak, 58, were taken into custody and charged with criminal mischief. As of Tuesday night, Jekschtat remained at Metro West Detention Center in Dade County, while Rehak was released on bond and fled from news cameras staked out at the facility."
"Surveillance cameras revealed a group of four men walking toward the bench and milling around it. One of the suspects reaches into his fanny pack and appears to hand what turned out to be a large Sharpie used to write the message to another tourist. According to the arrest report, Rehak drew the swastika while Jekschtat provided cover. Both men told officers they thought it was a joke, 7News Miami reported."
"The bench, just off Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, was installed in April as part of the city's answer to Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) demolition of a rainbow crosswalk near the site. Pavers from the crosswalk were reinstalled in Lummus Park - where the bench is also located - and dedicated in April during Pride weekend in the popular gay destination."
"While the current charge is a misdemeanor, the State Attorney's Office said it could be enhanced to a hate crime. “Though they thought it was a joke, the joke's on them, because they are behind bars,” said Miami Beach Police spokesperson Christopher Bess, who called the vandalism an “egregious act of hate.”"
Read at LGBTQ Nation
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