Hate incidents continue as town leaders pursue significant responses
As the town rolls out new responses — and police investigate new acts of hate — officials acknowledge they have a long way to go.
When Kurt Schwartz’s surveillance camera caught someone trashing his family’s memorial to Israeli victims of terrorism last weekend, he saw it as a “flagrant and intimidating” act of antisemitism.
His wife Susan says this and other targeting of their display have left her feeling “as though there’s nobody there to protect us.”
And, she told The Acton Bridge, “We’re not alone.”
The Schwartzes, who are Jewish, have maintained a field of Israeli flags on their Sudbury Road property as a memorial to the more than 1,200 people killed when Hamas terrorists stormed Israel in October 2023. The flags are also a show of solidarity with Israel.
As the town rolls out new responses to incidents like these — and police investigate new acts of hate — officials acknowledge they have a long way to go.
Outreach and training
Allegations of unchecked anti-Jewish abuse in Acton public schools surfaced days into this year’s summer vacation in a federal filing from the Anti-Defamation League, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and the Mayer Brown law firm.
As the summer winds down, the Select Board; the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Commission; and the School Committee have all weighed how to proceed.
- Town leaders have highlighted “active bystander trainings.”
- Schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter has promised student and staff training to prevent and address antisemitism. She said the schools will review curriculum about the Holocaust. District plans also include creating a high school Jewish Student Union and holding parent focus groups.
- The League of Women Voters will hold a September 18 “Together Against Hate” forum with town officials and faith leaders. It’s set for 5:30 p.m. at the Acton Free Public Library.
- The DEI Commission is gathering feedback on a new charge that explicitly references antisemitism.
Gaps in reporting
Hunter and Town Manager Kerry Lafleur have shared data on antisemitic incidents with the caveat that issues are probably underreported. The DEI Commission has called for a townwide hate incident reporting system to close the reporting gap. Select Board members initially asked for more time to evaluate options, including working through the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
On Monday, board members endorsed creating a working group to make more detailed recommendations for reporting upgrades.
Select Board Chair Mark Howell recalled a proposal from DEI Commission member Brian Farber. He said the town can promote existing systems through the schools, the police, and the DA’s Office and publish data on local incidents, “even as we contemplate what additional system we might build on top of that.”
Levels of awareness
During a recent Select Board discussion, member Paul Boehm said, “We were shocked out of complacency by the ADL complaint.”
School Committee member Michael Williams told Boehm, “Not all of us were surprised that things like this are going on.” He and others have noted previous issues, including alleged racist harassment.
On August 13, police received a new report of an anti-Black slur spray-painted on a picnic table in the Baker Avenue area.
Police responded to the Schwartz property on August 23.
Town officials, in a statement, described the flag vandalism as a “possible hate incident.”
In late July, someone left chalk writing on the sidewalk in front of the Schwartzes’ display. The messages included things like, “We don’t want no Zionists here,” and, “Genocide supporters live here,” according to photos that Kurt Schwartz provided to The Bridge.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died during Israel’s military action in Gaza since October 7, 2023, prompting widespread criticism of the Israeli government.
Schwartz said his family is “very concerned that anti-Israel protests are becoming increasingly threatening and violent.” Even if the chalk didn’t count as “an explicit threat,” Schwartz said, it “certainly could be a catalyst for others to act in an unlawful way toward us.”
First day of school
On Wednesday, Hunter said school officials were investigating a report that one or more students “may have drawn swastikas” during a ninth grade orientation at Acton-Carlisle High School.
Hunter said another student reported the issue Wednesday morning. She said school officials had been in touch with police and faith leaders and praised the student who came forward.
“I want to assure you that we take reports of potential antisemitism, hate speech, or other discriminatory behavior very seriously,” she said in her email to families.
The Bridge asked Hunter whether officials were able to corroborate the student’s report and received a response from Cody Shepard, a representative from the school district’s newly hired communications firm, John Guilfoil Public Relations, who said, “There is no additional information at this time as the investigation is ongoing.”
Police Capt. Brian Goldman confirmed that authorities investigated the sidewalk chalk incident and found a juvenile was responsible.
Goldman said police were still investigating the West Acton graffiti and the flag vandalism as of Monday. Town officials urged anyone with information to contact investigators at (978) 318-3400.
Tapping state guidance
As new incidents crop up, some have urged officials to review recommendations for school districts and communities from the state Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, which state Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Acton) co-chaired.
Hunter faced more criticism at last week’s School Committee meeting and said the schools are seeking ways to boost communication with the community.
Kurt Schwartz said, “It’s great that people are talking.”
But after he watched someone trample flags in his field, he’s worried the conversation is still happening only among a small group of engaged citizens.
“My guess is these meetings are not reaching the larger community,” he said.
Portions of this reporting previously appeared online.
