CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Champaign City Council member Davion Williams is facing significant criticism after updating his Facebook profile picture to a swastika earlier today. The symbol, widely associated with hate and violence due to its use by Nazi Germany, sparked outrage among community members who quickly condemned the post.
In response to the backlash, Williams defended his choice, claiming the swastika had been used for thousands of years across multiple cultures and religions to represent “good fortune, well-being, and spirituality,” and to symbolize “peace, prosperity, and the cyclical nature of life.” However, the explanation did little to end the criticism, particularly from the Jewish community and others who viewed the symbol as deeply offensive.
Sinai Temple Rabbi Alan Cook released a statement to his congregants. “While others called him out for his actions, he continued to leave the post up, insisting that he was trying to reclaim the symbol from its hateful misappropriation during the [mass murder of Jewish people under the German Nazi regime during the Holocaust, 1941–45.] We understand, of course, that words and symbols have meaning. I, and other leaders in the Jewish community, have been in steady conversation with Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen, who agrees that the post was inappropriate.” Rabbi Cook sent a letter to Councilman Williams which read, in part, “While it is true that other cultures used the swastika as a symbol of peace and good luck, its meaning has clearly morphed. I believe that you are intelligent enough to have understood before posting that those who come across your page are not going to see this graphic as an educational piece on reclaiming a misappropriated symbol. They will see it as sowing continued divisiveness and hatred in a very ugly way.”
Among those condemning the post was Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen, who commented on the post. “I have just seen the swastika on Council Member Davion Williams’ Facebook page. I strongly denounce this hate. I will be issuing a full statement today on this, but I did not want to let this hate happen without taking an immediate stand.” Mayor Feinen reached out to our newsroom and assured us a longer statement is forthcoming.
In a show of solidarity, Feinen updated her cover photo with an image of a yard sign reading, “Hate has no home here.” Meanwhile, Williams has since removed the symbol from his Facebook post.
Our office reached out to Councilman Williams for comment but has not heard back.