Racist Signs Posted At Black-Owned Businesses On Martha's Vineyard
businesses on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts on Sunday (September 3), CBS News reports.
Robert Galibois, District Attorney of Cape and Islands, confirmed that the signs were discovered in the town of Oak Bluffs and Patriot Front, which is regarded as one of the most well-known white supremacist groups in the country, was allegedly responsible for some of the signs. Also, 22 police chiefs are investigating the incident with Massachusetts State Police detectives.
"If you observe any of these signs on public property or private property without the owner's permission then please notify your local police department," Galibois said in a statement. "We are all working collectively on identifying the individual[s] involved."
State Rep. Dylan Fernandes, who represents Martha’s Vineyard and surrounding communities, said the signs “clearly an attack on Oak Bluffs as one of America’s historic vacation destinations for Black people.”
On Facebook, the Oak Bluffs Police Department issued a statement asking for any information that will lead to the arrest of potential suspects.
“We are looking for any information regarding who posted these signs around town overnight. Please contact an officer at 508-693-0750 or send us a direct Facebook message. Thank you,” the statement read.
Chief Jonathan Searle said the investigation is ongoing and that no arrests have been made as a result of the incident.
Founded in 2017 during the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville that left one woman dead and dozens more injured, Patriot Front is led by Thomas Ryan Rousseau and Dillon Hopper. The group split from Vanguard America (VA) the same year.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Front members are known “to post flyers and stickers, put banners on buildings or overpasses and even perform acts of public service, all designed to maximize propaganda value.”
The Patriot Front is no stranger to the state of Massachusetts. In July 2022, the group marched in downtown Boston carrying riot shields and banners with the same slogans and wording as those on the Oak Bluffs signs.
