Select Board asked to decry white supremacy, Grafton ‘hate group’

Grafton resident Jen Vacca called on the Select Board to condemn white supremacist speech, citing both the recent mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket and social media posts from members of what she termed as “a local hate group.”

Vacca, a vocal civil rights advocate, suggested that the board also look into DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) education for town employees and committee members, citing comments made by the group’s members.

“Among these were the egregious actions of a Grafton police dispatcher,” Vacca said. “After the town meeting, he accused the local anti-racist group (Grafton RISE) of colluding with a town employee to tamper with the voting devices at the town meeting. This is a lie and an irresponsible allegation. This particular town employee also spread the false theory that the new DEI position was paid for by cutting the school resource officer.”

The Select Board did not directly address Vacca’s statement, as is largely customary with the public comment section of the agenda. Earlier in the meeting, however, the board briefly discussed a request to address the Buffalo shooting, with Select Board Chair Colleen Roy noting that the board usually sticks to strictly Grafton affairs.

“Silence and no response to hate speech normalizes hate speech,” Vacca said.

Resident Nancie Picconi, speaking through Zoom, responded that she could not believe that the board was allowing Vacca to attack her group, which she claims boasts 900 members. 

Vacca’s full statement:

Just a few short weeks ago, I asked that the Selectboard review their vetting procedures to ensure that members of hate groups do not become members of town committees. I further requested that the Selectboard investigate DEI education for all employees and committee members. At that time, I provided examples of White supremacist speech occurring within our community.

Since that time, members of a local hate group have continued their campaign. Among these were the egregious actions of a Grafton police dispatcher. After the town meeting, he accused the local anti-racist group of colluding with a town employee to tamper with the voting devices at the town meeting. This is a lie and an irresponsible allegation. This particular town employee also spread the false theory that the new DEI position was paid for by cutting the school resource officer.

An outspoken member of that local group, whose admins and members routinely attack the local anti-racist group, recently tweeted support for replacement theory. To refresh everyone’s memory, replacement theory reflects the belief that Whites are being systemically replaced by those with Black and Brown skin. This is the lens through which the Buffalo shooter apparently saw the world. This statement, however, was not the first instance of replacement theory speech in Grafton.

The first came during the recent Selectboard race in a post which was contributed to the campaign page of a citizen who sits on this committee. I will not read the post but will say that

it contained several White supremacist dog whistles. The notion that “refugees” are taking over towns like Framingham and Marlborough, and the claim that it could happen here if affordable housing is pursued, smacks of afore mentioned replacement theory. The suggestion that immigrants contribute nothing to our communities and rely upon government assistance is an anti-immigrant trope that is frequently utilized by the right. The comment went unchallenged.

In response to hate speech right here in Grafton, many residents and committee members have claimed ignorance or have remained silent. Silence in response to hate speech normalizes hate speech.

It is the responsibility of this board to set the tone of the town. Is it your intention as leaders of this community to normalize hate speech from White supremacists?

I request that a resolution be drafted condemning White supremacist speech in the United States and, specifically, within Grafton. I ask that this resolution include a message of support for the community of Buffalo. I also renew my request that committee members and employees receive some type of mandatory guidance on how to identify and appropriately respond to White supremacist comments from supporters and from citizens. We are not asking you to police free speech. We are not asking you to deny the 1st Amendment right of any citizen. We are asking that you denounce White supremacy. It should not be difficult to do so. It should not have been difficult

for you to do. I would like to see this on the agenda for an upcoming meeting of the Selectboard.

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