While the discovery of hate symbols has not increased in Westchester in 2019, the presence of disturbing stickers and symbols continues to be found across the county. Earlier this month, hate stickers were found at two different locations in Peekskill.
One sticker was found on a pole at Park Place in the city, and another was placed over a pride sticker outside of a gaming store in Peekskill named The Rift. Both stickers feature an anti-immigrant, white supremacist point of view.
The message on both stickers reads, “Not stolen. Conquered.” This message and stickers are associated with a group called Patriot Front, whose motto is to reclaim America through a message of Neo-fascism, Neo-Nazism, white supremacy and American nationalism. The group uses images of patriotism, liberty, and other widely accepted American values to promote its ideology, and also promotes the Zionist Occupied Government conspiracy theory. The leader of Patriot Front was also a leader behind the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., in 2017.
State Sen. Peter Harckham and Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey led a press conference in Peekskill to denounce the hate symbols and anyone who posted it.
“Today we are here to simply say ‘no’ to hate,” said Harckham. “No way, no how. Not in Westchester. Not in the Hudson Valley. It’s disgusting, it’s abhorrent, it’s cowardly. It’s against everything we stand for. Diversity is our strength.”
“What good is a diverse city if we can’t appreciate diversity,” asked Mayor Rainey. “We stand together as a united people in this city. With the great accomplishments we’ve made, we must send a message for the entire world to see – we will not tolerate hate in our community. Everyone is welcome here, and I will continue to stand and fight for the rights of all, through love and unity.”
Members of the Peekskill clergy also spoke out. “We stand up today to say we won’t tolerate it – we will stand up against it,” said Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Pastor the Rev. Gary Colter. “The love of God is stronger than anything in this world. There will be no hate in Peekskill. We in Peekskill will show the world how to love.”
The Peekskill Police Department continues to investigate both incidents.
In Ossining, police officials continue to investigate the discovery of a noose found at Louis Engel Waterfront Park last month. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the noose being placed at the park is asked to call the Ossining Police Department at 914-941-4099.
“A noose hanging from a tree is no different than a burning cross or a painted swastika,” said OPD. “It is a call to racist violence, and it has no place in our community. As the investigation unfolds, we will learn if there is any criminal act to be charged and prosecuted.”
“This just can’t be tolerated,” added Ossining Town Supervisor Dana Levenberg. “We must come together to disavow these propagations of hate and stand strong in our beliefs that the goodness in our innate common humanity can and shall overcome.”
Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, of Ossining, said; “We can’t let people do the things they are doing. We live in the greatest country ever. It was founded for its diversity.”
Finally, in Croton Harmon, District Attorney Anthony Scarpino announced earlier this month that a 17-year old was charged with making a threat of violence at Croton Harmon High School. Croton Village Police made the arrest after an anonymous tip was called into the Croton Harmon School District. The unnamed defendant was charged with Making a Terroristic Threat, a class D felony.
“The safety and security of all students and school staffs in Westchester County are paramount to all of us,” said Scarpino. “We will continue to be vigilant as we are every day where the safety of our children is concerned.”
The investigation into this matter continues.
Editor’s note: At the Peekskill press conference, those who spoke did not mention or identify the name of the organization named on the stickers found. Our newspapers have decided to print the names of this group in an effort to educate our readers to the hate that we need to stand opposed to and become aware of. Please email us if you agree or disagree with this policy – risingmediagroup@gmail.com.
