A reported antisemitic incident at Warner Middle School in Farmington Hills was cited by a Michigan community leader ahead of the U.S. Department of Justice's first American Tour Against Hate event, scheduled for Oct. 14 in Southfield.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Task Force to Combat Antisemitism will hold the first stop of its American Tour Against Hate on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, 27375 Bell Road in Southfield. Admission is free, but registration is required at mizoa.org/events.
The Warner incident dates to Aug. 27. A student at the Farmington Hills middle school allegedly drew a picture featuring swastikas and Hitler imagery on the second day of classes, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Parent Kristina Millman, known for her work at Detroit Dog Rescue, said her daughter was sitting near the classmate who drew the image and told the class it depicted Hitler.
Millman said she received no clear information about possible disciplinary action. At a Sept. 1 school board meeting, she said she had waited five days to see the drawing.
Farmington Public Schools sent Fox 2 a statement from the superintendent saying the district's director of community engagement had begun working with Warner and its restorative practice facilitators. The district said the goal was to help students understand the impact of their actions and take steps toward repairing harm.
The available reporting does not establish whether the district subsequently took disciplinary action or changed its policies.
On Sept. 1, parents packed the Farmington School Board meeting. Fox 2 reported there was not an empty seat. Millman addressed the board, saying her daughter had seen a drawing containing Hitler imagery and a swastika. She criticized the delay in being allowed to view it.
Another parent told the board they have two Jewish children at Warner and that the children are afraid, Fox 2 reported.
The Jewish Federation of Detroit said a swastika can have a profound impact on Jewish students and families, according to an Aug. 31 report published by The Jewish News.
The incident drew broader attention. In an opinion piece published Friday, Oct. 9, in The Jewish News, Kobi Erez, executive director of ZOA-Michigan, cited the classroom drawing as evidence of a growing problem. Erez wrote that no child should have to face symbols of genocide in a place meant to feel safe.
Erez's piece cited 156 antisemitic incidents in Michigan in 2025. The figure comes from Anti-Defamation League data also cited in Michigan House Resolution 361, which declared October 2026 as Combating Antisemitism Month. The resolution, sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Noah Arbit, was adopted Sept. 23.
The Oct. 14 Southfield event will feature Leo Terrell, chairman of the DOJ task force, and Zionist Organization of America national president Mort Klein, MLive reported. Co-sponsors include Congregation Shaarey Zedek, EndJewHatred, the Jewish Policy Center, Frankel Jewish Academy and FOI.
The DOJ announced the tour on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the third anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. Registration for the free event is open at mizoa.org/events.
