According to studies by professor Krzemiński (1992, 2002, 2012), anti-Semitism rates in Poland are among the highest in Europe. When engaging in local monitoring, the Association identified considerable volumes of anti-Semitic graffiti on the walls of the Cracovian districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze. The response of authorities is usually brief, and includes no effort to involve local communities in hate speech prevention activities. Anti-Semitic graffiti and social tolerance for its existence in public space result in a disadvantageous climate to minorities in Cracow.
The purpose of the project was to eliminate anti-Semitic graffiti from Cracovian public space and to empower local communities with a view to enable them to react on their own.
More than ten anti-Semitic slogans were removed from walls around the city. An online set of guidelines was drafted and delivered to individuals potentially interested in joining such activities in the future. Volunteers capable of diagnosing and monitoring hate speech in public space were trained in a series of workshops.
Thirty-two volunteers were trained to monitor anti-Semitic slogans on city walls and organise repainting campaigns. More than 20 slogans were identified, and 14 were removed. Seven meetings were held to promote the project and knowledge on how to fight anti-Semitic graffiti. Intervention letter samples and anti-Semitic graffiti response guidelines were drafted. Two clips (for promotion and instruction purposes) were shot. An open letter to administrators and owners of tenement houses featuring anti-Semitic graffiti was drafted. Four multicultural workshops were delivered for 75 pupils of schools in Cracow.
Direct project beneficiaries included approximately 200 residents of Cracow (more than 30 volunteers, 75 pupils, approximately 100 meeting participants). Project-related web content (clip and project website) reached more than 1,000 recipients.