The discovery Thursday morning of anonymous flyers — saying only “#White Lives Matter” — disturbed Westporters in the Compo Beach and Roseville Road areas.
The reaction to yesterday’s “06880” story was mixed. Some commenters were stunned, ashamed, appalled and angry.
Flyers like these were tossed onto lawns in Westport early Thursday morning.
Others complained of an over-reaction. “All lives matter,” they noted. They said this was political correctness run amok, and wondered why anyone assumed the flyer was “racist.”
As the story reported, similar flyers were distributed equally anonymously — in Ziploc bags, weighted with pebbles — in Milford a few days earlier.
There was one difference. While the Westport flyers said only “#White Lives Matter,” the Milford flyers included more text. They said:
America is under attack. This fact has been known for some time. Each year, we the American people lose more rights. Each election we get sold out and stabbed in the back. Between misfits robbing us and the government taxing us, we the honest hardworking Americans are barely getting by. Tired of being tired, and sick of being sick, Americans united in 1987 to form The Nationalist Movement. And ever since, it has served the American people proudly.
While other groups pop up only to vanish, The Nationalist Movement continues striding to unify the American people and liberate us from the communist regime that is currently occupying our White House and Congress Halls. The American people have been shackled with chains of “equality”, beaten bloody with the whip of “diversity”, and forced to bow a knee before the tyrants ruining our homeland.
However, Americans all across this sacred nation are arising, to make a difference. This exclusive organization carries the Red, White, and Blue with the same pride that our fore fathers did. And in doing so, we vow to never let the Amrican [sic] dream perish.
There was a link for the Nationalist Movement website. The site shows photos of a flag that looks like a cross between a cross and a swastika.
On the home page, there is a link to “Racist America Radio.”
This Radio show is for activists, not those who are lukewarm, sell outs, or inactive keyboard commando’s [sic]. This is real life activism, in the public, without police protection. We are friends to only the truly sincere devotees of freedom. We stand with only the true zealots for our people.
So yeah, there is a racist element to the flyers.
Perhaps the Westport flyers were just a juvenile, copycat attempt?
Probably not. Both flyers used the exact same typeface and 3-line style.
The Westport (left) and Milford (right) flyers.
Meanwhile, Westporters swung into action.
Yesterday afternoon, representatives from TEAM Westport, houses of worship, Staples High School, the Westport library, the town Social Services department, and community members gathered at the Saugatuck Church to frame a response.
They are drafting a joint statement. They’re organizing a community conversation at the library (Sunday, May 17, 4 p.m.). Additional steps will follow.
Clergy have been encouraged to speak about the incident in services this weekend.
They’re also compiling a webpage of resources — blog entries, videos, podcasts, etc. — to provide history and context for the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
More will follow.
All lives matter. Including those that stand up against vile, offensive, and very racist behavior.
(Hat tip: Dan Donovan)
