New Jersey beachgoers were startled over the weekend to see a small plane flying overhead pulling a swastika banner.
Twitter was abuzz with tweets from people who saw the plane fly over Long Beach Island on Saturday afternoon.
The group behind the flight says it wasn't meant as a representation of hate. The International Raelian Movement says the swastika is actually a symbol of peace and beauty that was corrupted by Nazis in 20th century Germany.
On its website, the group writes that the flight was part of its third swastika rehabilitation day.
Don Pripstein, president of the Jewish Community Center of Long Beach Island, says whatever the group's intentions are, the image is still horrific for many Jews whose relatives were killed in the Holocaust.
Get the latest from NBC 4 New York anytime, anywhere. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. Get our apps here and sign up for email newsletters here. Get breaking news delivered right to your phone -- just text NYBREAKING to 639710. For more info, text HELP. To end, text STOP. Message and data rates may apply.
