SALEM — Salem Board of Health and Health Department staff with names perceived to indicate that they are Jewish have been directly targeted by hateful, antisemitic messages and threats online, by email, and voicemails in the past several weeks.
Mayor Kimberley Driscoll, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, state Sen. Joan Lovely, state Rep. Paul Tucker, city councilors, School Committee members, Superintendent of Salem Public Schools Dr. Stephen Zrike, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, and many other community leaders and organizations joined in on releasing a community statement condemning these attacks.
The statement said these actions are “unacceptable, repugnant, and worthy of condemnation by everyone, regardless of your perspective on the COVID-mitigation measures enacted and modified by the Board of Health to help protect public health.”
As community leaders in Salem, they said they stand together to express their rejection of these antisemitic attacks, their condemnation of attempted intimidation, and their solidarity with neighbors who volunteer and serve the community.
“We reject and condemn vile, racist, antisemitic, and regressive attacks — whether online or in person,” the statement said. “We support those who volunteer for public service, despite these atrocious and utterly unacceptable actions and messages. And we urge every member of our community to join us in asserting with absolute clarity that Salem is no place for hate.”
The attacks were reported to the Salem Police Department and the Anti-Defamation League.
If other members of the Salem community want to add their names to the statement, they are invited to do so at www.salem.com/NoPlaceForHate.
Those who would like to be included based on an affiliation with an organization, community group, business, nonprofit, or other entity are welcome to do so as well.
The city said the statement will be periodically updated to reflect the addition of new community members who have signed on in support.
