Hate Literature Distributed In Stamford; Police Investigating

STAMFORD, CT — Police said they are investigating reports of flyers that included hate speech which were distributed in several Stamford neighborhoods over the weekend.

Mayor Caroline Simmons' office said Monday the hate literature was placed on residents' driveways in the Pepper Ridge-Springdale area of the city.

The United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan and Darien said in an emailed announcement that antisemitic and racist flyers were left on driveways by the Nationalist Social Club, or NSC-131, a New England-based neo-Nazi group with chapters in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

"Its members see themselves as soldiers at war with a hostile, supposedly Jewish-controlled system they claim is plotting the extinction of the white race," the UJF said. "The group regularly distributes replacement theory propaganda and holds small, localized flash demonstrations. Flyer drops are often used as a recruitment tool for the organization."

State Rep. Matt Blumenthal (D-147), who represents Stamford, tweeted what appears to be photos of one of the flyers.

One side of the flyer claims several New England states have become "less white" over the past 10 years.

The other side says, "New Englanders! You are being replaced. Organize and resist!"

Blumenthal said the flyers are "disgusting," and he thanked residents for reporting them.

The Stamford Police Department did not release further information.

"The Stamford Police Department condemns any form of hate speech in our community," the department said Monday on Facebook. "The department will thoroughly investigate these incidents in collaboration with the State’s Attorney’s Office."

The United Jewish Federation also said Mayor Caroline Simmons convened a meeting Monday morning with members of the SPD, public safety and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion members of her administration, state representatives and leaders from the faith and ethnic communities.

In a statement from her office, Simmons rebuked the hate literature.

"The city of Stamford has a zero tolerance for hate speech against any person or group, whether it is based on race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, country of origin, gender identity or any other affiliation, and we vehemently condemn this disturbing behavior in our community," Simmons said. "Ensuring residents feel safe after this unsettling behavior is our top priority."

Residents with any information regarding what happened over the weekend are being asked to call the non-emergency police number at 203-977-4444.