Layla Wofsy ’19
Several Norwalk residents were alarmed after finding white supremacist fliers on their driveways and in their mailboxes on Monday, Feb. 7. The fliers were predominantly distributed to the Cranbury area of the town.
The fliers read, “We must secure the existence of our race and a future for white children. Make America White Again,” a play on the well-known slogan President Donald J. Trump used in his campaign. The fliers also include a link to a website called, “The Right Stuff”, run by white nationalist movement extremist, Mike Enoch, that says “we are white and we’re not sorry.”
Many of the disturbed receivers of the fliers immediately contacted the police, who promised that they are working together to do everything they can in order to find out who had distributed the fliers. “There is an ongoing investigation,” Norwalk Police Spokesman, Lieutenant Terry Blake said, “At this point we don’t believe these residents were targeted.”
Sergeant Pat Daubert mentioned that the suspect may face littering violations, at the most. “When you read the words, it’s not threatening, so there is no violation of law per se,” Daubert said, “Somebody’s just expressing their views on the topic.”
In response to the issue, Norwalk Mayor, Harry Rilling released a letter to Norwalk residents on Tuesday, condemning the hateful incident that occurred in the town, “It is not what Norwalk represents. Our city is diverse in its racial, ethnic and social makeup, and that is both a strength and part of our rich cultural heritage as Americans,” Rilling said.
These fliers have also been found in many other areas of the country. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “A vast number of white nationalist fliers and recruiting materials have appeared in businesses, public parks, on people’s cars, in driveways, and, especially, on college campuses around the country.”
Although members of the Westport community have not been specifically targeted, some Staples students are concerned about what has occurred in their neighboring town. “The white supremacist fliers stir up fear, disgust, and sadness in my heart”, said Isabel Handa ’19. Additionally, many Westporters shop, eat, and go to the movies in Norwalk and some may even live a few houses over from where these fliers were distributed.
