Tom Tolg’s letter last week was right to decry the hate speech and actions directed at the Pierce brothers and Councilors Ricketts and Redaud as reprehensible.
He is wrong, however, to believe that these incidents are simply protected speech.
Like Mr. Tolg, I believe strongly in the First Amendment and will defend anyone’s right to free speech, even if it is speech I vehemently disagree with.
What has been happening – and increasing – for the past number of months against these members and leaders of our community is not protected speech, to my understanding. They are clear violations of the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act
It “protects the rights of all residents and visitors to Massachusetts against threats and interference with their civil rights. The MCRA protects the right to use public parks, attend schools, live peacefully and enjoy other basic rights free from bias-motivated threats, intimidation, coercion and violence.”
There can be little doubt, from all of the information that has been made public, that these incidents absolutely constitute threats, intimidation, and (attempted) coercion based on “race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability” and certainly violate their victims’ right to live peacefully in our community.
This is illegal under Massachusetts General Law, in addition to being disgusting and cowardly. We should call it what it is, and I applaud the Recorder for attempting to do so in its coverage thus far
I am disappointed that there has not been more public concern and denunciation from Mayor Martin and other elected officials, a more aggressive and transparent investigation by our police department and greater outcry overall.
Rachel Gordon
Greenfield