Salem Leaders Condemn Antisemitic Attacks Toward Board of Health

SALEM, MA — Nearly four dozen Salem city, state, business and school leaders jointly condemned recent hateful and antisemitic messages aimed at Board of Health members as "unacceptable, repugnant and worthy of condemnation by everyone" on Friday.

The city said that over the past several weeks that Board of Health members who were perceived to be Jewish based on their last names were targeted with the messages of hate online, by email and over voicemail from those opposed to the city's COVID-19 mitigation measures.

"As community leaders in Salem, we stand united to express our unequivocal rejection of these antisemitic attacks, our condemnation of attempted intimidation –— especially when it so clearly focuses on targeting an individual based on their race, ethnicity or religion — and our solidarity with our neighbors who volunteer and serve our community thoughtfully, diligently and objectively on our Board of Health and the staff in our Health Department who support them in that work," the statement said.

Salem has been aggressive with its COVID-19 mitigation actions since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 and in late December reimposed a mask order for indoor public spaces as well as a proof-of-vaccination order to enter certain businesses.

The Board voted unanimously to drop the orders amid falling virus cases on Tuesday.

Board of Health Chair Dr. Jeremy Schiller said during the Board's meeting the decision to drop the orders was based on scientific trends and metrics, and not public pressure.

"We reject and condemn vile, racist, antisemitic and regressive attacks — whether online or in person," the city statement said. "We support those who volunteer for public service, despite these atrocious and utterly unacceptable actions and messages.

"And we urge every member of our community to join us in asserting with absolute clarity that Salem is no place for hate."

Officials said the attacks were reported to the Salem police as well as the Anti-Defamation League.

(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.)