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Racist Propaganda Circulating in Borough Spawns Incitement and Investigation
Matthew Hersh
Several flyers propagating a racist message circulated along Jefferson Road this weekend. The flyers, which were identified as the work of the white supremacist group, the National Alliance, defiled African Americans in accusations of deli- berately spreading HIV and AIDS.
"Don't Have Sex With Blacks, Avoid Aids," read some of the text on the flyers. The flyers picture three black men saying that they lied about their HIV status and "had sex with dozens of white women."
The National Alliance, whose Denver chapter appeared on the bottom of the flyers, has been responsible for propagating hate propaganda in the past. The same group had sent anti-Semitic propaganda throughout Princeton Township last June.
The flyers also printed the telephone number of the New Jersey chapter in Hewitt.
Borough Police are currently investigating the incident as a littering offense, because the text and message are protected by the First Amendment, Borough Police Capt. Anthony Federico said. He went on to say that the incident has not gained the complaint that would elevate it to a bias crime.
The National Alliance entered area politics in July when Hopewell Borough Councilman Marc Moran admitted that he was a member of the group. Mr. Moran's association with the National Alliance was made public after it was discovered that he had posted lengthy essays on white supremacy on the organization's website. He described himself as racially aware, but "not a racist."
At the time, many elected representatives in the area called for Mr. Moran's resignation, citing that his personal beliefs were not in concert with the beliefs of his constituency. Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, whose 15th District includes Hopewell Borough, issued a direct indictment of Mr. Moran's beliefs.
"The appointment of Marc Moran is an insult to the close-knit families of Hopewell Borough and the surrounding communities," said Mr. Gusciora. "His admittedly bigoted views toward immigrants, mixed-race couples, Jews, and gays have no place in the public-policy arena," he said.
Mr. Moran subsequently left Hopewell government and quit the National Alliance. Borough Mayor Marvin Reed voiced his concern over the incident.
"We all think it's horrendous," he said. The mayor added that while the text of the flyers is protected by free speech provisions of the First Amendment, it is important that the distributor is identified.
"If people distribute this sort of thing,
other people ought to know who they are," the mayor said.
