Beverly Leaders Denounce Recent 'Hate Speech' In City

BEVERLY, MA — A recent rash of reported racist vandalism and graffiti, as well as stickers, a flag and recruiting flyers for white supremacy groups, caused Beverly officials and human rights advocates to issue a joint statement denouncing the hate messages.

Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill, Police Chief John LeLacheur, Human Rights Committee Chair Caja Johnson, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director Abu Toppin and Beverly Multi-Faith Coalition Rabbi Alison Adler issued a joint statement saying the city "emphatically denounces overt and subtle statements, actions or symbols that promote hate or division."

Officials said in the past month there were reports of material promoting white supremacy groups, including a flag they said was attributable to the Patriot Front and Three Percenters.

Over the past six months, anti-Asian, anti-Black and anti-Semitic graffiti and vandalism has appeared on city street signs and Black Lives Matter flags were stolen.

"This hate messaging seeks to intimidate, demean and marginalize members of our beloved community," the letter states. "To Beverly's Black, Brown, Indigenous and other community members of color, Jewish community and other faith members and the LGBTQ+ residents: we are here for you, we see you and we appreciate you. Your neighbors and city leaders stand with you."

The letter states a commitment to building a more diverse and inclusive community.

"Hate speech is an extreme form of intolerance that we believe can lead to hate crime if unaddressed," officials and leaders said. "Whether or not legal or law enforcement action is available, we need to ensure that we resolutely respond with our collective voice denouncing hate speech symbols of hate crimes."

The full statement can be found here.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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