“As far as this new sticker from Patriot Front – whatever these groups are, whatever their targets are, you have to condemn them. A hate message delivered at any one group is a message delivered to everybody. If you turn your back and say, ‘Oh, I’m not involved, they don’t like other people, I’m okay,’ you’ll be next.”
Greenwich First Selectman Fred CamilloCamillo said he was in the early stages of planning events to promote civility, inclusion and the welcoming nature of Greenwich, but did not elaborate on details.
Selectperson Jill Oberlander said Friday in an email that the white supremacist and racist group’s vandalism of town property was concerning.
“Greenwich is an inclusive community and our residents represent diverse origins, religions, and ethnicities,” she said. “We need to send the message – loud and clear – that hate is not welcome here.”
“To that end, I expressly and strongly denounce racist messages and all hate speech, bullying, and intimidation, whether by implication or overt threats of physical violence, and ask all elected Town officials and other Town leaders to join me,” she added. “I also ask the Greenwich Police Department to fully and thoroughly investigate and prosecute these acts of vandalism.”
Selectwoman Lauren Rabin responded to a request for comment saying, “I am in agreement and alignment with the sentiments expressed by my fellow Board of Selectmen. I am committed to standing up against any group or person promoting hate or superiority over another. I also hope we can work together as a community to show supporters of these groups that they can take new paths.”
On Friday Greenwich Police shared a statement from Chief James Heavey, who said his department unequivocally rejects hate beliefs, including statements or actions that seek to encourage bias or violence towards any persons or groups based upon race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual identity or sexual orientation.
“We aggressively investigate crimes of hate and positively advocate for victims of such incidents,” Heavey said. “We have educated our officers on recognizing hate crimes and have partnered with groups such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to provide us training.”
Town workers, along with Greenwich residents, have worked to remove the Patriot Front stickers. The placement of these stickers is illegal and Greenwich Police seek to identify the parties involved.
Police ask that anyone who has information on the placement of the Patriot Front stickers to contact their tip line at [email protected].
See also:
Stickergate? Trump 2020 Stickers Proliferate on Street Signs across Greenwich
Those Pesky Lawn Signs! Strict Rules, Except for Campaign Signs!
