ROCKWALL, Texas — Residents of Rockwall County gathered Friday evening at the courthouse to take a stand against hate, just days after two Nazi flags were discovered hanging from Rockwall-Heath High School.

“We respond with light,” Rabbi Moishy Kalmenson of Chabad of Rockwall County said.

The flags, which appeared early Saturday morning, were quickly removed after being spotted by students. But the image left a lasting impact on the community—especially its Jewish residents.

“You had to be very deliberate. You climbed to the highest point of the high school and draped two Nazi flags over it! We have to stand up right now and say we’re not gonna allow it,” said Mayor Bryan McNeal, Mayor of McLendon-Chisholm.

Rabbi Moishy, a leader in the local Jewish community, tells WFAA that around 200 Jewish families live in the area, some with children at Rockwall-Heath.

“It really shakes them,” he said. “This is not reflective of the Rockwall County that we’ve lived in.”

In response, Jewish community members distributed “giving boxes” to encourage acts of kindness and promote healing.

“A calling for us to reinforce and strengthen our identity. We’re not going to let this act of hate define our identity,” Rabbi Moishy added.

Other voices at the event echoed a similar sentiment: that hate is often learned at home and must be countered through visible and intentional acts of good.

Law enforcement is still investigating the incident. The Chief of Heath DPS Brandon Seery addressed the community in a video statement: “We will continue working on this issue until the suspect or suspects are identified and held fully accountable for their actions.”

No one has been charged, and no arrests have been made as of Friday evening.