Hate Speech Comes to Goshen
Propaganda sticker attached to North Street East trailhead kiosk
Recently, a Goshen resident was shocked to discover a white supremacist sticker attached to the informational kiosk at the East Street North trailhead. She promptly removed the sticker and reported it to The Goshen News and the Board of Selectmen.
“Flash displays of hate and white power are happening more frequently in the United States, a trend that experts say is a reaction to changing demographics, political turmoil and social catalysts,” according to a November 2024 New York Times article.
According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a nonpartisan group that tracks the activities of white supremacists, “White supremacists comprise a tiny minority of Americans. Despite that, they seek a radical reshaping of society to exclude or even eliminate the many people they hate—including people of color, Jews and Muslims, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and others—and to form an extreme race-based society in which only white people will exist and exercise power. To accomplish this, white supremacists attempt to spread racism, antisemitism and other forms of bigotry to recruit new followers and intimidate, harass and harm their perceived enemies. While some white supremacists choose violence as a tactic to achieve these goals, others spread propaganda.”
THE ADL recommends the following responses to incidents of supremacist propaganda:
- Alert Appropriately
Alert relevant officials, including local law enforcement. Depending on where the propaganda is found, a crime may have been committed. Notify elected officials, such as a local councilmember or the mayor’s office. If the propaganda is affixed to privately owned property or adhered to or graffitied on a location like a school or business, notify the property owners. Also report the incident to ADL.
- Document Carefully
If propaganda was left on a windshield, lawn or any other public place — keep it instead of throwing it away. Take photos of hateful fliers, posters or graffiti, making note of the date, time and location. If you receive propaganda through the mail, save all the materials, including envelopes. If possible, provide additional information, like what areas of your neighborhood received fliers.
- Avoid Engagement and Confrontation; Prioritize Safety
Your safety and the safety of others around you is the most important concern in these situations. If you see someone spreading hateful propaganda, do not confront them or try to make them leave. In all situations — go somewhere safe and notify law enforcement. Don’t pick up or remove propaganda in the view of someone distributing it. Let the authorities handle the removal of hateful propaganda.
- Share Responsibly
It is appropriate and responsible to alert local media to hateful propaganda incidents so they can investigate and inform the community. However, use caution when thinking about sharing on social media. Extremists often want exposure and the propaganda itself might be disturbing or triggering to some. If you feel you must share images or video of propaganda you see or find, block or blur out any website URLs, email addresses, phone numbers and names of extremist groups. Do not help extremists share their contact information.
Goshen resident uses library card to scrape off the propaganda sticker.
