Mass. Launches Harassment 'Hotline' to Report Post-Election Threats, Violence

BOSTON, MA – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has established a new reporting hotline after, her office says, hearing reports of harassment and intimidation of racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, LGBTQ individuals and immigrants since Election Day.

Any Massachusetts resident who has witnessed or experienced bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence may call the Attorney General’s Hotline at 1-800-994-3228 or fill out a civil rights complaint form at this link. Residents may also contact the AG’s Office through its social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, Healey's office said.

Potential hate crimes – including bias-motivated assault, battery, and property damage – should also be reported to the local police in the first instance. Residents who fear for their immediate safety should call 911.

Nationally, the Southern Poverty Law Center's has tallied 201 incidents of "election-related harassment and intimidation" across the country as of Friday.

"These range from anti-Black to anti-woman to anti-LGBT incidents. There were many examples of vandalism and epithets directed at individuals," writes SPLC, a non-profit legal organization that tracks hate speech and groups. "Often times, types of harassment overlapped and many incidents, though not all, involved direct references to the Trump campaign. Every incident could not be immediately independently verified."

In Massachusetts, anecdotal and social media accounts point to a handful of incidents after the election. That includes a racially motivated insult allegedly shouted by a U.S. Postal Services worker last week in Cambridge and threatening letters containing racists slurs allegedly left on a Natick resident's steps.

“In Massachusetts, we will protect people’s rights, fight discrimination and keep people safe,” Healey said in a press release.. “There are reports from around the country following the election that people have been targeted and subjected to conduct that imperils safety and civil rights. Today, I am establishing a hotline for residents to report bias-motivated threats, harassment, and violence. Such conduct has no place in Massachusetts.”

Further clarification, courtesy the AG's office:

The hotline will be managed by attorneys and staff in the AG’s Office. While not every incident will be appropriate for legal action, the AG’s Office will be tracking reports and appropriate matters may be referred to local law enforcement or the Attorney General’s Criminal Bureau.

Most hate crimes are prosecuted by the local District Attorney’s Office. However, in some cases, the offender may also be prosecuted civilly, either in addition to criminal charges or instead of criminal charges, by the AG’s Office under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA).

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