Berlin Democrats Fume Over Sign Incident

BERLIN, CT — Local Democrats Monday reported their party's campaign signs outside the Berlin Fairgrounds entrance on Wethersfield Road were taken down, some thrown into a nearby wooded patch.

Calling it "an act of vandalism," the Berlin Democratic Town Committee condemned the incident, which was discovered Sunday morning.

2023 is a municipal election year and Berlin voters will decide several town board and commission seats this November.

The Berlin Fair was Sept. 14-17, making it a popular place for political campaigning.

Campaign sign incidents are common throughout and impact both parties, though, often, the vandalism is due to mischief rather than political chicanery.

The divisive politics of the time, though, have had political parties on edge in recent years about this type of activity come campaign season.

“Every single one of our lawn signs was callously pulled up and thrown into the trees along the road, with approximately a quarter of them suffering damage — including the metal stakes they were attached to,” said Raul Fernandes, chairman of Berlin Democratic Town Committee in a statement released Monday.

“There is absolutely no place for vandalism in our community or in political discourse. The belligerence with which these signs were scattered makes it abundantly clear that this was a purposely hostile act,” he said. “Such reprehensible behavior should be seen as an absolute disqualifier in any civilized society.”

Fernandes said the incident will not impact the campaign.

“While we condemn this act of vandalism in the strongest terms, we will not be silenced or intimidated. Instead, we will replace the damaged signs and continue our efforts to respectfully engage with and represent our community,” he said.

“We are reaching out to our supporters and the community at large for
assistance in replacing these campaign materials."

Social media images posted by Berlin Democrats Sunday showed several signs lying on the side of the road.

Berlin Democrats are seeking financial help to replace the destroyed signs.