(On Aug. 4, The Item published a story, “Swampscott activist organizing a run for governor,” detailing Dianna Ploss’ decision to file candidate campaign-organizing papers. In that story, we ran a photograph showing an offensive sign displayed at an October 2020 rally in Swampscott. This seeks to explain the decision to run the photo.)
It’s a well-worn expression most commonly uttered by disapproving parents: “You are known by the company you keep.” From our perspective, truer words could not be spoken about self-described “citizen journalist and freedom advocate” Dianna Ploss.
The former New Hampshire talk show host was the eye of a political protest hurricane that swirled on Humphrey Street in Swampscott as the presidential election, COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement occupied the national stage.
Public-address microphone in hand, Ploss loudly advocated her staunch support for then-President Donald Trump and espoused a litany of viewpoints easily found on her website.
Even as she shouted and declaimed viewpoints in opposition to her own, Ploss attracted a cross-section of protesters, including Black Lives Matter supporters intent on countering Ploss’ viewpoints, and people excited to express their opinion during public spectacles that became a Thursday ritual on Swampscott’s waterfront.
One of those people was Stephen Schafer, the Connecticut resident shown in the photograph published in The Item on Aug. 4 with reporter Tréa Lavery’s story.
Photographed at a Ploss rally in Swampscott on Oct. 22, 2020, Schafer is shown wearing blackface and holding his offensive sign.
An Oct. 23, 2020 Item story on Ploss’ rallies quoted Schafer as insisting he is a Ploss supporter. We published the photograph of Schafer holding a racially-offensive sign in order to convey to our readers the personalities Ploss attracts to her cause. Ploss may occupy a position on the political spectrum — and, again, her viewpoints are available on her website — but Schafer’s offensive presence in public in proximity to Ploss underscores how her real goal, in our view, is to sow hatred and chaos at a time when unity should be our nation’s watchword.
The photograph reflected that hatred, which is why we ran it.
Ploss’ candidacy, were it to happen, should be ignored, as should she.
— Ted Grant
