Wakefield Rebukes Smattering Of 'White Lives Matter' Protesters

WAKEFIELD, MA — A small group of people carrying a "White Lives Matter" banner gathered near Lake Quanapowitt Sunday, drawing a swift and clear rebuke from residents and officials who were quick to draw a line between free speech and racist hate-mongering.

The gathering — made up of a small handful of people — was reportedly carried out by members of NSC-131, which according to the Anti-Defamation League is a Neo-Nazi hate group. The group was one of those to participate in the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill.

The failed rally was part of a national effort by NSC-131 that flopped, Newsweek reported. Still, more marches are being planned — though it's clear they are not welcome in Wakefield.

"I used to find groups like that to be — my opinion was that they were losers. They were impotent excuses for humans," Town Council Chair Ann McGonigle Santos said at Monday night's council meeting. "Then Jan. 6 happened and I started thinking they had a little bit more power, unfortunately. Make no mistake "White Lives Matter" is a term of hate, it sends a racist message, and for folks who don't understand that they need to do a little bit of research."

A post on a private community group had more than 500 comments before commenting was turned off — the vast majority of people speaking against it.

Others issued statements against the failed rally.

"Racism and hatred have no place in our community, and [Sunday's] events only strengthened my commitment to work towards being anti-racist and making this a community where all are welcomed, included, and safe," Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Commissioner Thomas Boettcher said on his Facebook page.

The School Committee on Tuesday night issued a proclamation "reaffirming Wakefield's commitment to acceptance and openness among all our citizens."

Town Councilor Julie Smith-Galvin said the next time NSC-131 shows up in Wakefield, a clear message needs to be sent.

"We need to work together to stand up to their bigotry and hate," Smith-Galvin said in a statement. "The next time they sneak into our town on a quiet Sunday afternoon, a call needs to go out to counter-protest, and the police need to be alerted if there is any illegal behavior. BUT make no mistake, even if they never show up again, we can still take action to ensure that their hate is not welcome here."

Santos said there can be no equivocating "White Lives Matter" rhetoric to non-hateful speech.

"I want to believe in my soul that we're a welcoming community but I know that there are some that don't understand, whether through ignorance or intellectual laziness, why 'White Lives Matter' sends a message that not everyone is welcome," Santos said. "That it is a targeting phrase."

Patch reported in January that NSC-131 was founded by a young man who used to live in Malden.

"Known NSC tactics include antagonizing social-justice protesters, vandalism, and posting stickers and other propaganda," the Counter Extremism Project said in its entry on NSC-131. "NSC members have joined right-wing and pro-police rallies where they have displayed Nazi flags and symbols, as well as engaged in physical altercations."

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi. Subscribe to Wakefield Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.