Swastika, Noose, Tiki-Torches Spark Outcry, Investigations

LEDYARD, CT — In late October of 2018, just before the mid-term election, a person brought a Trump Make America Great Again banner "tie-wrapped to two bamboo, back-yard torch holders" to Ledyard police.

In recent days, numerous references have been made to that tiki-torch-wrapped MAGA sign found in the town.

As was pointed out by residents at the Feb. 12 Ledyard Town Council meeting, those torches were used in the Charlottesville 'Unite the Right,' rally of 2017 where white supremacists and neo-Nazis marched in the city chanting "Jews will not replace us."

Ledyard Democratic Town Committee Chairman Marty Wood said at the meeting that the Trump MAGA banner secured by the torches, "like the ones used by racists and white nationalists," was at the intersection of Col. Ledyard Highway and Route 117, near the center of town.

In June of 2019, a person came to the police station to report that he found an "alleged noose hanging from a tree at the Highland Park." At the same town council meeting, a resident described that incident as "a clear symbol of racism." Wood said it "brings to mind lynchings by the KKK."

Both of these recent incidents were brought up to elected officials in light of what happened this weekend.

"I am horrified and embarrassed that a swastika was painted on a sign near the High School in Ledyard. Swastikas are no laughing matter; it symbolizes hatred, bigotry, and exclusion," state Rep. Christine Conley wrote on her Facebook post, which she gave permission for Patch to publish.

"We as a community need to be better and ensure something like this never happens again."

On a privately-owned Gallup Hill Road property, a homemade sign scrawled in blue paint read: "Go Trump Shiff liar." Referring to Congressman Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

In a prepared statement he read Wednesday night, Ledyard Mayor Fred Allen explained that the "political sign" went up on Feb. 6 and that "a couple of residents expressed their dislike" of the sign to Allen. He said he told them about "political free speech rights afforded" to citizens.

Two days later, on Saturday morning, he said the sign was still there but now "emblazoned" with a Swastika. Allen said that he did some research and found that there have been cases of pro-Trump or MAGA signs across the country being tagged with Swastikas.

"Unfortunately what appears to be a similar ugly incidents has now occurred in Ledyard," he said and went on to denounce the symbol and explain that police are investigating.

Ledyard Police Lt. Kenneth R. Creutz told Patch," we still have an open investigation on the sign defacing/criminal mischief."

Allen said that charges could range from breach of peace, vandalism to a "class e felony, intimidation based on bigotry or bias."

Creutz said police have "no leads at this time."

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Rabbi Marc Ekstrand of Waterford's Temple Emanu-el was at the Town Council meeting.

"I do not know the intent of the person who painted the Swastika, however I do know very well the effect this symbol has. It's meant to intimidate," he said, and is rooted in "deep hatred."

He called on officials to denounce "all hate" that extends to race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, and sexual preference.

"Hate will have no safe harbor in our community but only if we educate ourselves and our children," Ekstrand said.

Several members of the community echoed those sentiments in the meeting.

One said that officials claiming that here are "no hate groups that we are aware of" is "false," adding hate is "quietly lurking in every community in America waiting for their community to allow their message to be heard."

Another resident said he worried about his brother who is African-American and Hispanic living in the town: "I fear we made a mistake by bringing a boy of color to Ledyard which has a racism problem."

After citizen comments were done, Town Council president Linda Davis said "it goes without saying" that there's agreement that the Swastika and sign are "unacceptable" and should be "denounced," but she said she was "angry" that the story made the newspapers and was discussed on Facebook.

"It was really unfortunate that it was shared on Facebook and was then used by a newspaper ...it only gave publicity to someone clearly seeking it. How exactly was that helpful to our community? I’m really angry ...upset that another one of our state officials thought it necessary to immediately contact" news media, Davis claimed.

"I know we can work together but we don’t need politicians to get involved," elected official Davis said. "We will do it as neighbors. We will invite the rabbi if we decide we would like to do that. But let’s do that without politicians and move forward as neighbors."

Meanwhile, as police have removed the sign to use as "evidence," Allen said, a new sign is in its place. It reads: "Go Trump, UR sore losers Democrats."