'It’s unsafe at this point': Neighbors share concern with Milwaukee mural depicting swastika in response to war in Gaza

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A controversial mural in Milwaukee near Locust and Holton continues to be vandalized for its message about the war in the Middle East, causing concern for those who live and work in the area. 

The mural depicts a swastika inside the Star of David with the words "the irony of becoming what you once hated."

CBS 58 spoke to the building's owner, Ihsan Atta. He previously said he wanted the mural to raise awareness for what he called a genocide happening in Gaza. However, one woman who lives in the building above the mural believes it's raising safety concerns. She asked to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. 

“Last night I was just minding my business getting ready for bed, and I heard banging," the woman said, describing an instance of vandalism to the mural. "That’s terrifying. I don’t feel safe. I understand what he’s trying to say, but spreading hate with more hate is not going to solve an issue.”

There have been multiple acts of vandalism to the mural in the days it's been up in the Riverwest neighborhood. On Sunday, a man removed two panels from the mural. On Friday, black paint covered the swastika.

CBS 58 spoke with many other people who visited the area to look at the mural on Sunday. One man told us he showed a picture of it to his wife who identifies as Jewish. He told us he was horrified to see it. 

In a statement, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation said "This mural is not intended to actually change anything on the ground in Israel and Gaza. It has no capacity to do that. It is only meant to be hurtful to our Holocaust survivors who see it."

The image is located where a mural of Breonna Taylor used to be.

Milwaukee's Common Council has asked Atta to change or remove the mural.

CBS 58 previously talked to the building's owner, he said he is not upset with the vandalism; he will clean it and have the artist touch it up.

"I expected, you know, someone that didn't want the truth to come out to try to stifle the free speech and freedom of expression. I also actually appreciate that they did that, because it only brought more attention to it. Which in turn, will bring more awareness to the genocide going on in Gaza," said Atta.

 Atta previously said he has no intention of taking the mural down.