A vigil was held in Laconia in response to racist and antisemitic graffiti found spray-painted at the former Laconia State School. Dozens gathered at Opechee Park on Sunday afternoon to show their support to one another and to condemn acts of hatred in the city. “Our message today to those who perpetrated these acts is that we shall not succumb to hatred and bigotry,” said Patrick Wood with the Laconia Human Relations Committee. “And we hope that in some small way, the light shining from this vigil will help you overcome the darkness within you.”Police were notified last month about the hateful messages and symbols that were spray-painted on an abandoned building and water tower at the former school. “Antisemitism has no place in this community in the state of New Hampshire or anywhere in the world,” said resident Peggy Selig. “And based on what happened yesterday in Israel, this is very apropos. Nobody knew what was going to happen. And to see the camaraderie and the love that you feel within the community and the support is very, very important. It really is.”The city held a similar vigil in this same area last year after police received multiple reports of vandalized property. “We are a community that’s been hurt, and we’ve suffered. But we also are a community that’s chosen to take action,” said Mayor Andrew Hosmer. “The city of Laconia condemns acts of hate and intimidation. We stand united with our Jewish brothers and sisters to forcefully reject antisemitism in all of its forms. We cannot and will not normalize or become inured to hateful acts and we will not stand idle in the face of attempts to sow chaos and intimidate our citizens.”Law enforcement say they are investigating the incident and are encouraging anyone who sees anything suspicious to give them a call. “Whether it’s vandalism, graffiti, hate speech, harassment,” said Belknap County Attorney Andrew Livernois. “Because there’s evidence that these crimes are still underreported.”
A vigil was held in Laconia in response to racist and antisemitic graffiti found spray-painted at the former Laconia State School.
Dozens gathered at Opechee Park on Sunday afternoon to show their support to one another and to condemn acts of hatred in the city.
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“Our message today to those who perpetrated these acts is that we shall not succumb to hatred and bigotry,” said Patrick Wood with the Laconia Human Relations Committee. “And we hope that in some small way, the light shining from this vigil will help you overcome the darkness within you.”
Police were notified last month about the hateful messages and symbols that were spray-painted on an abandoned building and water tower at the former school.
“Antisemitism has no place in this community in the state of New Hampshire or anywhere in the world,” said resident Peggy Selig. “And based on what happened yesterday in Israel, this is very apropos. Nobody knew what was going to happen. And to see the camaraderie and the love that you feel within the community and the support is very, very important. It really is.”
The city held a similar vigil in this same area last year after police received multiple reports of vandalized property.
“We are a community that’s been hurt, and we’ve suffered. But we also are a community that’s chosen to take action,” said Mayor Andrew Hosmer. “The city of Laconia condemns acts of hate and intimidation. We stand united with our Jewish brothers and sisters to forcefully reject antisemitism in all of its forms. We cannot and will not normalize or become inured to hateful acts and we will not stand idle in the face of attempts to sow chaos and intimidate our citizens.”
Law enforcement say they are investigating the incident and are encouraging anyone who sees anything suspicious to give them a call.
“Whether it’s vandalism, graffiti, hate speech, harassment,” said Belknap County Attorney Andrew Livernois. “Because there’s evidence that these crimes are still underreported.”