Arlington Officials Respond To High School Hate Incident

ARLINGTON, MA – Arlington officials are condemning homophobic and anti-Semitic graffiti found at the high school Wednesday morning. Two "large" pieces were found sprayed on an exterior wall and in the back parking lot, and a swastika was discovered on a trash can, according to the Human Rights Commission and Rainbow Commission.

In response, the student government, club leaders and team captains at Arlington High School expressed their solidarity with their classmates and over 100 people met at Town Hall that night to hold rainbow flags and Hate Has No Home Here signs.

A joint statement released by the Human Rights Commission and Rainbow Commission read in part:

"We reaffirm our community’s commitment to embracing diversity and eliminating prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination, and intimidation. This hate incident does not reflect the values of our Town, the groups cosigned here, or the vast majority of Arlington residents. We are in solidarity with the students, faculty, staff, and their families as they process the emotional impact and work on the school community’s response. We particularly extend our support at this time to the LGBTQIA+ and Jewish community at AHS and in our town.

APD and the diversity- and inclusion-focused Commissions and groups are committed to creating an atmosphere where everyone in Arlington feels safe and supported. All of us function best when living without fear of violence, discrimination, exclusion, or humiliation. Our children, families, businesses, and the community as a whole are hurt by hateful acts against anyone based on race, color, religious views, national origin, sex, gender identity, citizenship, age, ancestry, family/marital status, sexual orientation, disability, source of income, or military status.

We strongly support the constitutional rights of free expression, freedom from intimidation, and equal protection for all people. Anonymous hate incidents aim to prevent members of our diverse population from enjoying full participation in civic life. The AHRC and the Rainbow Commission strongly endorse APD’s efforts on restorative justice and hope there will be an opportunity for the vandals to sit in dialogue with those affected to foster healing. We also support efforts by members of the faith community and local neighborhood groups who are facilitating respectful and productive conversation around difference through shared meals and other events.

APD has demonstrated dedication to the safety and security of all people, and our town services and agencies are committed to fostering not only a tolerant spirit, but an educated and enlightened one as well. APD and the AHRC have a long history of working closely with each other to investigate and resolve hate incidents, and now the Rainbow Commission is joining in that work by helping build community within the LGBTQIA+ population and strengthening ties with the greater community. We will collaboratively pursue healing and understanding while promising to seek out, identify, and hold responsible those who commit these harmful acts."

State Sen. Cindy Friedman, an Arlington resident who represents the 4th Middlesex District, said she was "disheartened" to learn about the event but was optimistic about the turnout at Town Hall. She added that Wednesday's gathering was "another reminder of why I am so pleased to live in and represent this town."

Read Friedman's statement below:

Previously on Patch: Arlington High School Hate Graffiti Found

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