Westfield Mayor Condemns 'Horrific' Bias Incidents

WESTFIELD, NJ - By and large officials in Westfield have been quiet in response to the incidents of hate-laden graffiti found on the walls of multiple school bathrooms in the district. That is until this week.

Monday night the governing body and the Board of Education issued a joint statement condemning that acts and on Tuesday Mayor Shelley Brindle followed it up with a statement of her own.

"Yesterday, the Town Council and the Board of Education made a joint statement following a recent incident at Edison School. As residents and parents of children in the Westfield schools, we want to make it clear that we jointly condemn all acts of racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry and expressions of hatred targeting any minority group, religion, or ideology," Brindle said. "Unfortunately this recent incident is not an isolated event in our schools or even in nearby communities."

Indeed, in Scotch Plains graffiti was found outside of a school this fall and a series of similar defacement happened at Summit Middle School and Summit High School. Immediately following those incidents, however, officials throughout Summit reacted with their thoughts and participated in local rallies and events to promote tolerance. The symbols drew swift and repeated condemnation from Summit Superintendent June Chang and Summit Mayor Nora Radest and Common Council President David Naidu spoke out about the incidents at a "No Home For Hate" rally at Temple Sinai's menorah lighting last Tuesday.

"These are not just words and symbols on a wall, they are attacks on fellow students, friends and neighbors," Radest said. "They are not abstract attacks. They are personal."

Related Stories:

• Swastikas Found In Summit Middle School
• Investigation Into Summit Schools Swastika Graffiti Continues
• Swastikas Found In Summit High School
• Summit Mayor: Fight Against Hate At Interfaith Menorah Lighting
• Summit Declares 'No Home For Hate' At Menorah Lighting
• 'Abhorrent Behavior' Will Not Continue In Summit Schools

Brindle's remarks Tuesday echoed those sentiments.

"We all share your profound concern and sorrow over this hatred and bias and are committed to fostering a respectful culture with a zero tolerance of such acts," Brindle said. "These horrific incidents should serve as a catalyst for us all to fully embrace the spirit of this season. As a community, let’s all commit to overpowering hate with an abundance of love, to suppressing intolerance with acts of inclusion, and drowning out bigotry with compassion and kindness."

Related Stories:

• Swastika Found In Westfield Elementary School Bathroom
• Westfield BOE Addresses 'Unacceptable' Swastika Symbol
• Hate Graffiti Found In Westfield School Again
• Active Investigation Into Westfield Hate Graffiti Continues

The investigation into the bias incidents in the Westfield Schools continues, with local officials coordinating with the Union County Prosecutor's Office for support.

(Photo courtesy of Shelley Brindle)

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