Amherst police investigating ‘hateful and racist letters’ left on automobiles

Amherst police are investigating a number of “hateful and racist” letters discovered on residents’ automobiles final week that have been signed by a cryptic group, the city stated.

“Hurt has been felt by the group, and it’ll not be ignored,” the city of Amherst stated in a press release posted on Fb.

On April 29, officers obtained phrase that letters had been “positioned on a number of automobiles in Amherst that contained hateful and racist sentiments,” city officers wrote.

The letters focused the “Black and African American group,” and have been signed by an unheard-of group, the city stated within the assertion, which didn’t embrace the total contents of the letters. The letters have been addressed to “Amherst Residents” and signed by a gaggle who referred to as themselves the “Development of American Civilization,” officers wrote.

Police responded and spoke to round seven individuals who obtained the letters; no different recipients have been reported to police, city officers stated.

“City workers weren’t in a position to find any group related to the title of the group,” city officers stated.

Nationwide organizations “recognized for monitoring hate teams” have been additionally unable to determine the group, the city stated.

“No info was collected to assist find the supply of the letter,” the city of Amherst stated.

The incident doesn’t qualify as a hate crime beneath federal or state legislation, however is being investigated by Amherst police.

“We condemn the racist and outright inaccurate statements made inside the letter relating to Black individuals or these of African descent. These statements are deeply upsetting and don’t replicate the values of our City, that are constructed on rules of inclusion and respect,” city officers stated.

The Amherst Police Division didn’t reply to a request for remark Sunday night.