On Sunday night, a family in Highland Park opened their mailbox to find a threatening, antisemitic letter. The message was so alarming, so personal, that it triggered a full-scale response from local police, a hazmat team, the FBI, and Illinois’ State Terrorism and Intelligence Center. Though the letter was ultimately found to be nontoxic, the fear it delivered was very real.

This was not just hateful speech. It was an intentional act of intimidation, delivered directly to a Jewish home in a city long known for its compassion, civic pride, and enduring Jewish heritage. It comes on the heels of violent antisemitic incidents across the country — from firebombs in Colorado to shootings in Washington D.C. — all of which have followed the same disturbing pattern: Jewish people targeted simply for being who they are.

Highland Park’s mayor, Nancy Rotering, called it an antisemitic crime. She’s right. But strong words must be backed by strong action.

We are calling on Highland Park police, state officials, and federal investigators to treat this act as a hate crime and to send a clear message: this community will not be threatened into silence. We must do everything in our power to protect the Jewish families who make Highland Park what it is — a place of safety, history, and resilience.

If you believe no one should have to fear a letter in their mailbox, if you believe hate should never go unanswered, sign this petition and demand justice now.