WESTFORD CENTER — The Select Board issued a statement condemning a recent incident where antisemitic graffiti was found at Butter Brook Golf Club.
“The Select Board is saddened and concerned that such hateful acts have occurred in our community,” Select Board Chair Chris Barrett read during their meeting on Tuesday. “Expressions of hate have no place in Westford and do not reflect our shared values of inclusion, mutual respect and tolerance. We condemn such acts of hatred in the strongest of terms and remain committed to combating hatred in any form. We urge anyone with information about this act to contact the Westford Police Department who continue to investigate this incident as a hate crime.”
According to police the “antisemitic, racist and obscene” graffiti was first discovered around 6:30 a.m. on July 22 by the grounds crew at the golf course. The graffiti was located on trees and the grass near a hole next to Acton Road (Route 27), close to the Acton town line. Police believe the incident occurred sometime after the course closed between the evening of July 21 and the morning of July 22.
Police said the incident was reported to the office of Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and told The Westford Villager that the incident remains under investigation by their detectives and that they are still searching for a suspect.
“Sad doesn’t really describe how I’m feeling about this happening in our town,” Select Board Clerk Noëlle Donovan said during the meeting. “I am sad that this has happened. I am sad for those that did it, mostly. Carrying around that much hate can’t be easy and I hope that they are able to let go of that hate and heal from it and things like this won’t happen around our town, or anywhere for that matter.”
Select Board members then invited Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair Joe Diamond to speak about the incident. He thanked the Select Board for its long-standing commitment to addressing intolerance, embracing diversity and condemning antisemitism. Diamond also thanked the police department for its commitment to public safety and quick response to the incident.
“A swastika is a clear reference to the Holocaust and it’s a dastardly reminder of the attempt by an evil regime to target Jewish people for total annihilation,” Diamond said during the meeting. “It is also a terrible appropriation of a sacred symbol in the Hindu religion meaning good fortune, well-being and ‘all is well’. Antisemitism continues to be on the rise around the world, in the U.S., in Massachusetts – and now in Westford. Statements by public officials condemning it are crucial to reassure residents and to raise awareness, so we thank you.”
Diamond said the DEI Committee urges residents and businesses to be aware of similar incidents and report them. He said antisemitic and racist incidents are insults to public safety and to the opening, welcoming and diverse community that Westford is.
Police are encouraging members of the public that may have seen something suspicious or out of order on the evening of July 21 – or may have security camera or dashcam footage from that night – to reach out to them at 978-399-2072.
“We’re so lucky to have a way that we respond to these events,” Select Board member Tom Clay said. “The fact that we all came together quickly and we’re communicating, I really appreciate it. I also really appreciate the DEI committee, Chief Mark Chambers and the whole police department. Raising these things up as soon as they happen gives us a chance to respond to them quickly.”
