Swastikas found painted on turtles at Renton park

RENTON — Visitors to a waterfront park in a Seattle suburb have reported seeing two turtles with large white swastikas on their shells.

The Seattle Times reports people in Renton’s Gene Coulon Park have reported seeing the tagged turtles over the past month.

Renton police said earlier this week they’re aware and have tried unsuccessfully to capture the turtles.

City officials believe the reptiles were pets that were released, but the intent and who painted them is unknown.

The swastika is associated with Nazis, but some point out that the emblem was inverted. The symbol, in both directions, was used in other cultures for thousands of years before Adolf Hitler co-opted it during the Nazi era.

But residents, activists and anti-hate organizations say the incident is troubling, no matter the reason. A “Rally Against Hate” is planned for Saturday at the park in response.