Nyack Residents Turn Out To Confront Racist Graffiti

NYACK, NY — Forty people responded to racist graffiti in Nyack by painting a positive message Friday. What was described as a racist phrase was spray-painted on the side of the former Helen Hayes Theatre, and the 40 individuals helped to paint an African-American flag on the public sidewalk, the Journal News said.

The village posted a message on its website and Facebook that said officials felt compelled to state unequivocally that “the Village of Nyack is not a place that tolerates bigotry and hate and we urge all community leaders to stand together to condemn this public expression of hate alongside those of us who serve on the Nyack Village Board.”

The message said the graffiti was damaging to the entire community — “a community that prides itself on its diversity and how deeply we love all of our neighbors.”

Orangetown police are investigatng the incident.

The village decided the way to confront the graffiti was to paint sidewalks near the site to “celebrate our African American culture and heritage and remind everyone who lives, works and visits here that hate has no home in our village.”

Photo credit: Google Maps.