White Supremacist Group Sends Online Threats To NH State Rep.

NASHUA, NH — State Rep. Manny Espitia (D-Nashua), became the target of white supremacists when a hate group sent a threatening message to him online.

The group state officials said targeted Espitia was the Nationalist Social Club (NSC-131). The threat came in response to Espitia speaking out against racist graffiti on the Rail Trail in Nashua, a mostly Hispanic neighborhood.

"Anyone with a name like 'Manny Espitia,' State Rep. or not, has no moral right to throw shade at any true (White) Nationalist New Hampshire," read the threat Espitia received on the instant message platform Telegram. "You have no right to be here, you're an occupier here, and the days of these types trampling on New England are coming to an end."

Espitia on his Twitter said the threats won't stop him from speaking out against racial injustices.

"No person should ever be threatened because of race, ethnicity, nationality, or their identity," Espitia tweeted. "I will continue to fight against racism in our world. I won't stop because of Neo-Nazis."

New Hampshire House Democratic Leader Renny Cushing, as well as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, condemned the threat.

Cushing said New Hampshire residents "must stand together to denounce hate speech and racism against all Granite Staters."

"This attack from a self-identified White Nationalist group on an elected person of color is blatantly racist and frankly disturbing," Cushing said in a statement. "No person should fear for their own or their family’s safety. Period. The fact that Representative Espitia is being threatened in the neighborhood where he lives and was elected to represent highlights how active racism and racist groups are in New Hampshire."

"I am extremely disturbed by the abhorrent treatment of Representative Manny Espitia (D-Nashua) by NSC-131," said House Speaker Sherman Packard (R-Londonderry). "There is no place for hatred in New Hampshire and groups like these do not represent the fabric of our communities. NH is one of the best places to live, and we will continue working together to ensure that it stays that way."

The state attorney general's office said it's investigating the threat with the help of local and federal agencies.