Legislators and Governor Baker Sign Resolution Denouncing White Nationalism

BOSTON—Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, and legislators presented a joint resolution and proclamation denouncing neo-Nazism and white nationalism. The move comes after the events in Charlottesville, VA, when a man at a white supremacist rally drove a car into a group of counterprotesters and killed one woman, and injured 19 others.

Baker signed an identical proclamation, which urged that law enforcement agencies and elected officials at every level of government in Massachusetts condemn white nationalist and neo-Nazi ideology, "vigorously pursue justice in response to hate-fueled violence and work to ensure the protection of the marginalized and targeted communities." The proclamation and resolution were sent to President Trump, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, and Charlottesville Mayor, Michael Signer. The resolution, signed by a joint committee of state policymakers, and adopted in concurrence in the State Senate, states the following.

Text of Joint Resolution and Proclamation

WHEREAS, white nationalist organizations in our country have consistently promoted values that are overtly racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-immigrant, and these poisonous ideologies continue to promote hatred, bigotry, and violence specifically against individuals solely on the basis of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and immigration status; and
WHEREAS, today, white nationalism and neo-Nazism remain very real threats to the values for which the Commonwealth stands, and their reinvention as the “Alt-Right” should not mitigate their hateful ideologies; and
WHEREAS, while free speech is a bedrock value for the citizens in our Commonwealth and Country, white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups promote a message that is the antithesis of Massachusetts’ dedication to civil rights for all, and is in irreconcilable conflict with our foundational principles of liberty and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, white nationalism and neo-Nazism are continuing to grow as menaces to societal order as they seek to reignite social animosities, reverse improvements in race relations, divide the nation, and foment hatred, classism, and ethnic eradication; and
WHEREAS, the white nationalist and neo-Nazi message of racial and social intolerance has led to senseless acts of violence that continue to terrorize members of ethnic and religious communities;
Be it resolved and proclaimed:
that the totalitarian impulses, violence, xenophobic biases, and bigoted ideologies that are promoted by white nationalists and neo-Nazis are strongly denounced and opposed; and further,
that law enforcement agencies and elected officials at every level of government are urged to condemn white nationalist and neo-Nazi ideology, vigorously pursue justice in response to hate-fueled violence and work to ensure the protection of the marginalized and targeted communities; and further,
that copies of this resolution will be transmitted to the Mayor of Charlottesville, Governor of Virginia and President of the United States.

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Senate President Stan Rosenberg said, "I was proud to sign the joint resolution along with Governor Baker and Speaker DeLeo, but I know that this is not enough. We must fight every day against hatred in all forms, and make sure that all of the people of the Commonwealth and of the United States can live free of hatred, bigotry, and discrimination."

Waltham Representative Tom Stanley posted the following on Facebook, and joined the Governor with many other legislators at the signing.

Baker published a joint op-ed with Mayor Marty Walsh in the Boston Globe on Thursday, condemning violence and intimation in Charlottesville, and asking for peace and caution at Saturday's Free Speech rally.

Photos courtesy of the Governor's Office