Towamencin Twp. Supervisor Laura Smith resigns over video showing a gesture resembling Nazi salute

TOWAMENCIN TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- An official in Montgomery County, Pa. has resigned after posting a video showing her making a hand gesture that resembles a Nazi salute.

Towamencin Township Supervisor Laura Smith submitted her resignation on Sunday.

Her letter to the board was posted on the township's website.

"To allow the Township to move forward without the encumbrance of the fallout of my video, I tender my resignation from the Towamencin Township Board of Supervisors effective immediately," it reads.

The board said it intends to accept the resignation at a public meeting as soon as possible.

"The Board of Supervisors cannot and will not tolerate such conduct," the board said in a statement.

Smith's gesture - in a video posted on TikTok but since deleted - also appears to mimic a controversial hand gesture made by Elon Musk just days ago at President Trump's inauguration.

In the video, Smith hits her chest before she puts her arm straight out in the air with her palm down.

The resignation message mirrored an earlier statement from Smith, in which she said, "A video I posted recently to social media has been greatly mischaracterized. Not wishing to give offense, I removed the video from my accounts. I abhor racism, antisemitism or discrimination in any fashion or form, and my record as a township supervisor attests to my commitment to treat all people with dignity and respect."

The board of supervisors said Monday a special meeting is being held about Smith's resignation on Tuesday, Feb. 4. It will be held at 6 p.m. at the Meeting Hall of the Municipal Complex at 1090 Troxel Road.

Two members of the board responded to the controversy over the weekend.

Joyce Snyder told Action News in part, "I want to say that I find her actions repugnant. Next, I ask her to think about her effectiveness as a leader."

While Kofi Osei said in part: "I condemn this blatant antisemitism expressed by Laura Smith in no uncertain terms and believe she should apologize and resign."

Jason Holtzman, who is the director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia said: "Public officials have a responsibility to ensure their words and actions do not perpetuate antisemitic propaganda and tropes. Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day this Monday, January 27, it is even more important that we all make the commitment to educating ourselves on the lessons of the Holocaust and be resolute in condemning this hate in all forms."