Westfield Officials Investigate Several Hate Incidents At WHS

Westfield NJ

10 December, 2021

9:42 AM

Description

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield school and town officials are investigating several hate/bias incidents that happened at Westfield High School over the past two weeks. The school district and town released a joint statement on Thursday condemning all acts of hate and bias. On Wednesday, officials said two swastikas and a racial slur were found carved into a bathroom stall at Westfield High School. This follows an incident discovered at WHS last week, and several others that have occurred over the last few years. In the letter to the community, officials acknowledged that the incidents have yet to come to an end. "Even as we write this, another swastika was discovered in a high school bathroom, although it appears to have been there for quite some time, which reminds us that this is, unfortunately, a longstanding problem," the letter reads. Officials said whoever is responsible for the markings will be subject to the severest punishment possible under the student code of conduct. In September, following several similar incidents at the park and in local schools over the last few years — the Town Council voted to introduce a measure to increase fines for bias crimes from $200 to $2,000. The joint letter included town and school officials, the Westfield Clergy Association, the Human Relations Advisory Commission, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield and Westfield Area Chinese American Association. "As community leaders, we strongly condemn all acts of racism, anti-Semitism, bigotry, and expressions of hatred targeting any group or individual. An attack on one of us is an attack on us all. In the spirit of the holiday season, we ask that each of us reflect on what role we can play in eradicating hate, and recommit ourselves to ensuring we are a community where every member feels safe, included, and valued," the letter reads. The HRAC and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association will host a Community Discussion on Accountability and Action Against Hate after the holidays. Also Read: After Swastika Found, Westfield May Hike Bias Crime Fine To $2KWestfield Mayor: Two Local Families Affected By Anti-Asian Hate