'Increasing level of hate speech' decried; Religious leaders make plea for more civility.

AuthorPetrishen, Brad
PositionLocal

Byline: Brad Petrishen

WORCESTER -- Dozens of religious leaders from various denominations Monday called for an end to an "increasing level of hate speech'' in Worcester against people of color.

"This hate speech is intended to degrade and intimidate, creating a hostile environment that we will not embrace or condone,'' more than 40 spiritual leaders wrote in a statement read at City Hall Monday afternoon. "Today we stand and call for an end to all the hate speech so that as a community we can proceed ahead.''

The statement was read by District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera, a minister at Christian Community Church, one of many religious leaders who signed off on its message. The pastors said the community is at a crossroads and applauded the recent announcement of forums on race to be facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice.

"These dialogues on race are coming at an important time in Worcester's history,'' Rev. Rivera read.

The group said the process of pursuing racial justice is a difficult one, and that "too often the finger gets pointed at those raising concerns, rather than at the structures and institutions perpetuating disparities and injustices.''

The statement did not list the forums in which the hate speech was occurring, and Ms. Rivera said initially that the group did not feel it was constructive to comment further.

Pressed for further information, she and several other religious leaders said much of the speech to which they referred had been in the form of anonymous online comments and blogs.

"I have a real issue with anonymity,'' said the Rev. Aaron Payson of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester. "I think if people have something important to say, they should put their name to it.''

Rev. Payson said the feeling among many is that hateful comments began months ago after protests over the decision not to indict a white police officer in the shooting death of Ferguson, Missouri, black teenager Michael Brown. Since that time, he said, such comments have continued surrounding Black Lives Matter protests, security concerns at North High and, most recently, the arrest of a white Worcester police officer accused of beating a black prisoner.

Rev. Payson and others said such comments have been made on message boards of numerous media outlets -- Telegram.com included -- as well as on the local TurtleBoy Sports blog.

Ms. Rivera acknowledged that many people in the city see the blog as an issue, but said it isn't as simple as...

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