Shining A Light On What Anitisemitism Looks Like In Danvers

DANVERS, MA — Danvers residents are invited to attend a short film and discussion about antisemitism through the ages — and how it impacts the town today — as part of the community conversation series following a series of recent hate and bias incidents in the town and across the North Shore.

The town has partnered with the Lappin Foundation to hold the program in the multipurpose room of the Holten Richmond Middle School on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.

Officials said the event came out of the community conversation held on Sept. 19 after a group of 10 masked people unfurled a banner accusing Jewish people of being responsible for the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the Route 114 overpass during the weekend of Sept. 11.

"One of the outcomes of the community conversation recently held in Danvers was the need for more education about what antisemitism is," the town said in announcing the Nov. 16 program.

The program is free and open to all residents. Officials said it is appropriate for teens and adults.

Town officials called the 9-11 banner "hateful, antisemitic and discriminatory behavior" and said it was part of a "disgraceful propaganda" campaign in Danvers and other North Shore communities.

"Not only does this incident spread hate, but it perpetuates misinformation regarding 9/11," a joint statement of town leaders said in response to the banner. "Groups like this also try to deny and obscure the brutal truth surrounding the atrocities committed against Jewish people, other marginalized groups, and their supporters during the Holocaust."

Select Board Chair Daniel Bennett, Committee for Human Rights and Inclusion Dutrochet Djoko, Director of Equity and Inclusion Jasmine Ramon, Police Chief Jamie Lovell and Town Manager Steve Bartha signed the joint statement.

For more information on the Lappin Foundation program, residents are encouraged to email swyner@lappinfoundation.org.

(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.)