A spree of vandalism took to the streets of Detroit this past weekend targeting a community center operated by U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, where the facade was marked with the messages "racist," "ceasefire," and "Free Palestine." The building, situated prominently on Livernois Avenue, now bears a conspicuous red "X" scrawled across Thanedar's face in images, as reported by The Detroit News alongside a few unsightly additions that may pass for devil horns, this amid other descriptive graffiti and pro-Palestinian symbolism that mar the site's exterior.

Rep. Thanedar expressed his disappointment about the vandalism, describing it as "very upsetting" and counterproductive to constructive debate. He has not yet brought the case before law enforcement, CBS Detroit reported a police report was filed by a spokesperson from Thanedar's office, this incident follows a series of protests directed towards him over his political stance, protests that previously have led to disturbances outside his residence and a violent clash at a local holiday party where a woman sustained a serious injury. "These acts create nothing but fear and division during a time that depends on open conversation and discourse," Thanedar stated, according to CBS News Detroit.

The community center, which has been in operation for several months, doubles as a space for political events apart from its community offerings, Thanedar, who has been an outspoken supporter of Israel in its conflict with Hamas, has become a favored target of anti-Israel sentiment something that he says will not dissuade him from his efforts towards open dialogue and seeking a negotiated ceasefire in the Middle East conflict. Thanedar, moreover, cites his previous endorsements of pro-Palestinian positions, emphasizing the complexities at the intersection of these polarizing issues, the Detroit Free Press reported.