'Lewd And Lascivious' Zoombomb Hits Marblehead Board Of Health Meeting

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Police Chief Dennis King said police are looking to identify the person responsible for a "hateful" and "lewd and lascivious" act of so-called Zoombombing of the virtual Board of Health meeting on Monday night, including the depiction of sexual acts on screen.

A joint statement of Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer, Health Director Andrew Petty and King condemned the virtual meeting attack that they said included "hateful comments made and acts made by the individual" in the form of "racist words and sexual lewdness for all to view."

Petty said attempts were made to remove the intruder from the virtual meeting but that "they just kept coming back" and the meeting had to be adjourned.

The attack came amid a presentation on domestic partner violence.

"Our presenter from HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) was able to provide much-needed insight on domestic violence in the town despite the interruptions," Petty said.

King said the person responsible may face criminal charges if and when identified.

"The right to free speech, even hateful speech, may be protected by the First Amendment," King said. "This protection is not without restrictions to time, place and manner at a public meeting. Nor are the sexual acts depicted by the person responsible protected.

"We are working hard to identify the culprit(s) and hold them fully accountable for their actions. Anyone who has information on this incident is encouraged to come forward."

The joint statement said the incident is a reminder that members of marginalized populations should be protected against "hate mongers" that target them.

"The town of Marblehead will not stand idly by while individuals try to create fear," the statement said. "We will work together to plan for and react with determination to defend it."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)