He goes by Penny Gaff.

And he can’t understand why anyone would be offended that he posted a Nazi reference on a windowless overpass of the abandoned Packard Plant.

On his new Facebook page, he explains the intention of his piece, which was torn down recently.

“I have decided to come forward to address my intention and motivation behind the piece,” he wrote. “In doing so I am by no means limiting the work to my own personal definition. Despite the piece only surviving a short while due to mindless vandalism, it successfully served its purpose to provoke thought, create dialogue and bring attention to an environment and its inhabitants who have long been forgotten and neglected.”

The infamous German slogan – Arbeit Macht Frei, which translates to “Work Will Make you Free” – was spelled out in the same font on the Packard that “greeted” Jews as they were ushered into the gates of Auschwitz for an almost certain death. More than 1 million people were murdered.

Got tips or suggestions? Contact Steve at sneavling@gmail.com.

Steve Neavling is an investigative journalist, a freelance reporter for Reuters and former city hall reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Living on the city’s east side, Neavling explores corruption and the underbelly of an oft-misunderstood city.

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