Racist Graffiti Found At Cheshire School, Local Leaders Speak Out

CHESHIRE, CT — Local leaders are speaking out against racism and hate after a racial epithet was recently found written in chalk on the back of Doolittle Elementary School in Cheshire.

The graffiti was reported Aug. 20 and Cheshire police immediately opened an investigation. Officials said they haven’t been able to provide more information about the incident because no witnesses have come forward and it wasn’t captured on video.

However, the town has released a joint letter to the Cheshire community speaking out against the incident. The letter is signed by Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Solan, Town Manager Sean Kimball, Police Chief Neil Dryfe, Board of Education Chairman Anthony Perugini, Council Chairman/Mayor Robert Oris and Human Services Director Michelle Piccerillo.

“Hate has no place in our community, period,” the letter reads in part. “Whether it is a disgusting act of vandalism, social media post, or in the unacceptable ways in which some people treat others, we must actively address these words and behaviors. Our community as a whole works to create a welcoming place for all people, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. In recent years our schools have engaged in educational programming, curricular revision to broaden perspectives and create greater cultural awareness, and the active recruitment of a more diverse workforce. Since early spring, the schools have also been working with the State Education Resource Center to design and provide equity training to various stakeholder groups. This training will support our staff and the community in developing greater cultural awareness and shed light on blind spots we all have. Additionally, our Town Human Services Department and Youth and Human Services Committee are actively working to enhance the lives of all of our residents and help our community to be a place where we embrace, not just tolerate, differences.

“Every single one of us has a role to play in the effort to create a welcoming community. We hope that you will join us in standing up to racism and hate of all forms. Through this effort, we will become the community that we aspire to be.”

Read the full letter below: