A community theater’s staging of The Diary of Anne Frank in Howell, Michigan, drew disturbing attention as demonstrators gathered outside with Nazi flags, displaying blatant antisemitic behavior. The incident, which took place on November 9, 2024, occurred at the American Legion Post 141 and involved several masked individuals waving Nazi flags and shouting antisemitic slurs, according to WXYZ, a local CNN affiliate.
Inside the venue, an audience of about 75 people attended the performance, shocked by the unsettling display outside. Army veteran Bobby Brite shared with WXYZ, “People were shocked. They were appalled,” adding that many attendees felt unsafe and needed escorts to reach their cars. Brite emphasized that “nobody in America should feel like that.”
The Fowlerville Community Theatre, the local group that organized the play, expressed sorrow over the incident, stating that their goal was to present The Diary of Anne Frank authentically, conveying the tragedy of the Holocaust. In a statement, the group noted, “On Saturday evening, things became more real than we expected. The presence of protesters outside gave us a small glimpse of the fear and uncertainty felt by those in hiding.” They added that their purpose in producing Anne Frank’s story was to inspire people to think deeply and prevent history from repeating itself.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office reported that the demonstrators vacated the Legion post’s parking lot when asked but continued to exchange words with patrons from across the street. The Anti-Defamation League’s Michigan office condemned the act, describing it as “disgusting” and calling out the “far-right extremists who praised Hitler” outside the event.
Howell has encountered similar racist displays this year; in July, White supremacist groups marched through the area. Antisemitic incidents in the United States have surged recently, with data from the ADL indicating that threats to Jewish individuals tripled following the October 7, 2024, attack on Israel by Hamas. Bias incidents involving various ethnic and religious groups, including Jews, Muslims, and Arabs, have also increased across the U.S. in recent weeks.
Anne Frank’s Diary remains a significant historical document, often introducing young people to the Holocaust’s horrors. Written during her two years in hiding from the Nazis, Anne’s journal captures the fear, hope, and struggles of her family and others hiding in Amsterdam. The diary, published after her death in 1945, has been translated into over 70 languages and adapted into numerous films and plays, serving as a poignant reminder of the Holocaust’s impact.
In recent months, antisemitism has risen globally. In Amsterdam, a statue of Anne Frank was vandalized in July, and violent clashes related to Middle Eastern tensions have occurred. The Michigan theater’s experience echoes the broader struggles communities worldwide face in combatting hate and bigotry.
Source: CNN
