An Ohio man has been accused of burning 100 library books on African-American, Jewish and LGBTQ history, sparking public outcry.
The Beachwood Police Department said the man checked the books in April a few days after he went to the Beachwood Library branch in Shaker Boulevard.
According to the news station, he allegedly told the librarian that his son was a member of the LGBTQ community and he was trying to learn more about it.
According to WKYC, the man was told that the man had posted a photo showing a car suitcase, the site full of books Gab.com. These books have Cuyahoga County public library stickers on it. The library was later told that the man posted a video that appeared to burn all the books he had inspected.
News reports that the books are worth about $1,700.
The Anti-Defamation League's Extremism Center describes GAB as an "extremism and conspiracy hub for online hubs" and is used primarily in "conspiracy theorists, white nationalists, neo-Nazis, militias, militias and influential figures."
Beachwood Library directed NBC News to the Cuyahoga County Public Library, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
A coalition led by Jews, Muslims and Christian congregations, a religious group against hatred quickly condemned the man's actions and expressed hope to collect 1,000 "new books to enhance black, Jewish and LGBTQ+ voices," the Mishkan congregation or said in a Facebook post.
"Who keeps up with the idea that you can drive us out of Cleveland, expel us out of Cleveland, deny our ideas, oppress us and scare us into the corner...they chose the wrong community!" Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk from Mishkan or said in a statement.
He continued: "This community will continue to respond with love. Let us use this moment instead of standing in fear, oppressive behavior, and deepen our belief in our beliefs, race, culture and values of each other."
"We want to take this act of hatred and turn it into a powerful symbol of unity, unity and love," said Ryan Wallace of Fairmont Presbyterian Church.
Democratic Senator Kent Smith said the man's behavior was "untolerated".
"I condemn this act not only because it is a crime against our institutions and communities, but because it is fundamentally non-American," Smith said in a statement. "This violence is not only a crime against a destroyed catalog of public literature, but also a violation of people's market of thought, which is the cornerstone principle of American life."
It is not clear whether the man is facing charges. Police said the incident is likely to be a civil matter and local prosecutors will determine whether the charges are necessary. The news station reported that the library hopes the incident is recorded and that the books have not yet been overdue. The man will receive a bill upon overdue payment and if the bill is not paid, the bill will be sent to the collection.
Beachwood police said the investigation is underway and city prosecutors will determine “whether there is a possible reason for the crime.”
“The Beachwood Police Department is actively investigating the incident,” Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement. "Our department opposes anti-Semitism and all prejudice-motivated crimes. We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents in the city of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without fear of threats of intimidation or violence."
The prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.