Ugly Flyer Smears Hoboken Mayor Candidate As ‘Terrorist’

HOBOKEN, NJ -- You’ve got to give it to Hoboken mayoral candidate and councilman Ravi Bhalla. He knows the classy way to respond to hate speech.

Bigoted and potentially illegal flyers started appearing in Hoboken this weekend that identified Bhalla as a “terrorist” who might “cost Hoboken taxpayers millions.” The flyers inspired an immediate response from Bhalla, who called them “an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community.”

Bhalla said:

“Last night a flyer with the word ‘terrorist’ above a picture of me appeared on car windshields in Hoboken. Of course, this is troubling, but I want to be clear: We won't let hate win in Hoboken. I want people to know that Hoboken is a welcoming community where my wife and I are proud to raise our two young children. No matter your religion, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, you are welcome here in our city."

Bhalla continued:

“I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character-- not by the color of our skin or how we worship. At this time in our nation’s history when we have a president who seeks to divide us, it is critical that we come together as a community and stand up for American values.”

Although the flyer identifies itself as being "paid for by Team DeFusco for Hoboken," Councilman Michael DeFusco, who is running against Bhalla for the city's mayoral slot, condemned the distribution and issued a statement saying that his campaign had nothing to do with the flyer.

• See related article: Hoboken Cops Say Bhalla Smear Flyer Was Doctored, 2 People Sought

"I spoke out not only against the racist, disgusting flier targeting Ravi Bhalla that appeared last night and was made to look like it came from my campaign, but also against the rest of the hate that has been shamefully displayed throughout this race," DeFusco stated in a social media post. "From anonymous fliers saying I'm part of a 'crime family,' to dishonest Super PAC attacks blaming me for a tax increase that happened seven years before I was in office, to hate-fueled blogs and attacks on my sexuality and my partner, this campaign has exposed the worst of Hoboken."

DeFusco also stated:

"I called Councilman Bhalla to assure him that although we disagree on many issues, we can stand united against this kind of racism infecting our city. I’ve also submitted a copy of this flier to the Hoboken Police Department and will be sending it to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office to demand an investigation to determine who is intentionally misrepresenting my campaign. This injustice will not stand and we will do everything possible to get to the bottom of it. Political stunts like this are everything that’s wrong with politics today and I’m horrified to see this happening in Hoboken."

• See related article: Hoboken Election Guide 2017 (Mayor, Council, BOE Candidates)

Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante said that the HPD is investigating the distribution as a potential bias crime.

Ferrante added that the content of the disseminated literature "is unacceptable anywhere in Hoboken or this country" and is illegal.

"That is not free speech," Ferrante stated.

It’s not the first time that Bhalla has dealt with bigoted political jingoism involving his religion.

In May of 2016, a Twitter user posted that Bhalla was a “terrorist” and asked how he was “even allowed in the U.S.”

Bhalla gave the following reply:

“Sir, I am born and raised in America. You clearly don't know what it means to be an American.”

• See related article: Hoboken Councilman Responds To Racist Tweet Calling Him 'Terrorist'

Editor's Note: This article has been updated with a statement from Michael DeFusco.

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