Staff Writer
Published: 11/7/2020 9:16:05 AM
NORTHAMPTON – Police are investigating a hate crime against The Resistance Center for Peace and Justice, after its headquarters were vandalized with stickers that included a swastika.
According to a post on the Northampton Police Department’s Facebook page, the vandalism appears to have occurred between Wednesday at 3 p.m. and Thursday at 4 p.m., when it was reported to police.
The post also says that the stickers were from a known neo-Nazi group, and that the action appears to have targeted The Resistance Center.
“The Northampton Police Department is aware of how this type of crime can impact the feelings of safety and security of many groups and individuals who are targets of hate groups; along with our greater community,” reads part of the police’s statement. “We will dedicate our investigatory resources into identifying and prosecuting the perpetrator(s).”
Those with information about the crime can contact Detective Michael Briggs at 413-587-1133 or email mbriggs@northamptonma.gov.
When reached for comment Friday night, police said that they didn’t have anything to add to the Facebook post at this time.
The Resistance Center for Peace and Justice was formed as a successor to the American Friends Service Committee’s western Massachusetts program. It is dedicated to promoting peace and social justice issues, including the abolition of nuclear weapons.
In a statement released about the vandalism, The Resistance Center refuses to name the group responsible, so as to not give them a platform.
“We believe our office was targeted for this hate crime because of our commitment to peace and social justice for all people,” reads part of the group’s statement.
The statement also condemns white supremacy, and states that The Resistance Center stands in solidarity with Jewish and BIPOC community members.
“We condemn this blatant and vile hatred of our neighbors, and we condemn the quiet white silence that allows such hatred to go unchecked,” reads part of the statement.
Program Director of the Resistance Center for Peace and Justice Miranda Groux said that the reference to neighbors refers to deeper systems of white supremacy and not immediate physical neighbors to The Resistance Center.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.
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