Anti-Immigrant Messages in Somerville, MA

Statement in Response to Anti-Immigrant Messages in Somerville, MA

In Somerville, MA, virulently anti-immigrant messages threatened students with deportation this week. These racist messages foster a climate of fear that interferes with students’ social and academic progress. The messages push already vulnerable families and children deeper into the shadows. We condemn messages of racism and hate. We are encouraged by the swift response of Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the Somerville Police Department. We urge other cities to act with similar urgency in responding to manifestations of hate.

Since the November election, communities in Massachusetts and across the country have experienced an unprecedented wave of hate. At the Lawyers’ Committee, we are rapidly mobilizing in response to hate crimes. We are distributing thousands of bilingual know-your-rights palm cards. Please report hate incidents to 1-844-9-NO-HATE (1-844-966-4283). For more information on Massachusetts law and additional resources please visit The James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate.

Our response to the anti-immigrant messages in Somerville was featured in the Boston Globe.