News
Hateful graffiti and swastikas found in Santa Monica.
Recently, the Santa Monica Police Department has been facing a surge in antisemitic incidents, with reports of graffiti that feature swastikas and hateful messages appearing across the city. This disturbing trend has prompted an investigation by law enforcement officials to identify and address the perpetrators responsible for spreading such messages of hate.
Police Chief Ramon Batista expressed his dismay over the antisemitic graffiti, labeling the acts as cowardly and reprehensible. In a statement, he stated, “We are appalled by these cowardly acts of antisemitism. Our department is fully committed to upholding the safety and dignity of all members of our community.” Such strong condemnation from law enforcement emphasizes the seriousness of these incidents and the need to combat such hatred within the community.
Specific instances of the graffiti have been reported in the Pico neighborhood, particularly near the 2100 and 2300 blocks of Pico Boulevard. However, the extent of the incidents across the city remains unclear, as the department has not provided specific details on the total number of reports received.
In response to the hateful graffiti, one family decided to take a stand by transforming the swastikas into an art project. Through a Facebook post, Zachara Lupetin shared their initiative to use chalk to cover up the offensive symbols and replace them with images of flowers and butterflies. This act of defiance against hate demonstrates the community’s resilience and refusal to succumb to fear.
Amidst these troubling incidents, the Los Angeles Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has also spoken out against the antisemitic graffiti. Executive Director Hussam Ayloush denounced the hateful messages, affirming that all forms of hate must be rejected in a community. CAIR stands in solidarity with the Jewish community, advocating for their right to safety and security in their own homes.
The prevalence of antisemitic incidents in Southern California has garnered significant attention, with a noticeable increase in attacks and incidents targeting the Jewish community. Organizations advocating for Jewish civil rights have highlighted this disturbing trend, emphasizing the need for collective action to address and combat antisemitism.
Governor Gavin Newsom recently unveiled the “Golden State Plan” to counter rising antisemitism in California, in collaboration with the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and other Jewish organizations. This comprehensive plan aims to enhance security measures at Jewish communities, address incidents of antisemitism, and implement changes to school codes of conduct to tackle hate speech.
In light of these events, the Santa Monica police are urging anyone with information about the graffiti or those who have witnessed new incidents to come forward and report them. By encouraging community involvement and awareness, law enforcement aims to swiftly address and curb the spread of antisemitic hate within the city.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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