Florida police are investigating antisemitic messages spread by an extremist group outside the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, according to WESH.
Police said that a large crowd they described as “First Amendment Auditors” attended the race. They said that the auditors were responsible for displaying “antisemitic messages from the top of the pedestrian bridge" while the 65th Daytona 500 NASCAR race was in progress.
The group is known for testing the limits of free speech by pulling stunts meant to get the attention of authorities.
According to police, the auditors purposely spread antisemitic hate in order to “bait” the police into arresting them so they could launch a lawsuit for violating their free speech rights.
"They attempted to bait the officers of the Daytona Beach Police Department into violating their rights in hopes of acquiring justification for a lawsuit against us," said a statement from Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young. "The Daytona Beach Police Department remained and will continue to remain professional through their encounters with them while they exercised their first amendment rights.”
But Young added that the department “stand[s] in solidarity with the Jewish community and all those who are affected by hate and discrimination, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that Daytona Beach remains an inclusive destination for all.”
Daytona police said on Sunday that antisemitic propaganda literature was also distributed in the area over the weekend.
“Detectives have been tirelessly working to put an end to this unacceptable behavior,” Young said.
The same hate material was found in nearby Ormond Beach.
Ormond Beach Police Chief Jesse Godfrey said in a statement: "The Ormond Beach Police Department is deeply troubled by the recent distribution of antisemitic propaganda throughout our city. This behavior is unacceptable, and we strongly denounce any form of hate or discrimination toward any individual or community.”