ATLANTA — Georgia officials are speaking out against a weekend of anti-Jewish protests in the state.

One such protest involved a group of people holding Nazi signs and flags outside of Chabad of Cobb, a synagogue in Marietta, on June 24.

“We have been in communication with Cobb County officials, who have identified these individuals as part of a small group that travels around the country in order to spread their hateful message,” Chabad of Cobb posted in a statement. “East Cobb has been a wonderful home to a flourishing Jewish community for many years. These individuals do not represent the sentiments of the citizens of East Cobb.”

Groups also displayed swastikas outside a Macon synagogue over the weekend, and antisemitic flyers were also distributed throughout Warner Robins in recent days.

“There is absolutely no place for this hate and antisemitism in our state,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “I share in the outrage over this shameful act and stand with Georgians everywhere in condemning it. We remain vigilant in the face of these disgusting acts of bigotry.”

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff said, “Georgia’s Jewish community will never be intimidated by anti-Semitism. Today, as symbols of genocide were paraded in front of synagogues, we continue to stand strong, proud and unbowed. All Georgians are united in our rejection of bigotry and hate.”

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr called the acts inexcusable.

“Their intimidation tactics will not work and must be condemned,” he said. “We stand strong with our Jewish friends and neighbors against these continued expressions of hate.”

A bill that would have made such anti-Jewish acts punishable failed to pass in the Georgia General Assembly this legislative session, which ended March 29.

On Crossover Day, the Georgia House in a 136-22 vote, passed the bill, HB 30, which would have considered it a terroristic act when someone unlawfully uses antisemitic imagery, including a swastika, Ithaca rune, or Wolfsangel with intent to terrorize another, another’s household, another’s property, or public property.

The bill, however, did not receive approval in the Senate.

{span}“I am proud that this past session, the Georgia House of Representatives passed legislation to define antisemitism in state law. It is apparent we must get that bill to Governor Kemp’s desk next session,” said House Speaker Jon Burns.{/span}

The bill would have also adopted the advisory definition of antisemitism as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance in May 2016 to help prosecute hate crimes against Jews. IHRA defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Ga. Rep. Jasmine Clark, one of a few Democrats who voted against HB 30, said she opposed the proposal since other races don’t have definitions of what is considered anti-Black hate, anti-Asian hate, etc. Opponents of the bill also argued that it might violate freedom of speech.