Neo-Nazi Group Holds Anti-Immigrant Rally In Woburn

WOBURN, MA — A group that has been classified as a neo-Nazi organization demonstrated outside three Woburn hotels on Saturday a little over a week after it was announced that 59 migrant families were being housed in local hotels, The Boston Globe reported.

A group called Nationalist Social Club 131, also known as NSC-131, took credit for the protest on the social media platform Telegram and later confirmed to The Globe that it was behind the protest, the newspaper reported.

NSC-131 has been classified as a neo-Nazi organization by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

"NSC 131 organized an emergency mobilization in Woburn, Massachusetts to oppose invaders and their collaborators," the group wrote on Telegram. "The action was conducted in response to hundreds of Haitian invaders being housed in Woburn hotels with taxpayer dollars."

Photos posted on social media by a group called New England Nazi Watch reportedly show some of the protests that, evidence suggests, took place outside the Red Roof PLUS+ Boston — Woburn/ Burlington, located at 19 Commerce Way in Woburn.

In the photos, protestors are seen holding a banner that reads "Invaders: Go Home." The banner has a "131" logo, which also appears on many of the protestors' hats. Many of the protestors are wearing face coverings and sunglasses, and several appear to be holding flairs.

On Monday, Woburn Police Department Chief Robert F. Rufo Jr. told The Globe that about two dozen people protested outside the hotels.

"There was no violence, no arrests and no flares," Rufo said. "Upon the presence of marked police units, the group dispersed at each location."

On Aug. 18, Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin announced that the city is housing 59 migrant families at local hotels after the families were placed there as part of Massachusetts' "Right to Shelter" law.

"We are prepared to support the Governor (Maura Healey) and comply with state law during this time of crisis," Galvin said in an Aug. 18 statement. "The 'Right to Shelter' law obligates the state to provide housing for families with children and pregnant women who are homeless, and the state's policy is to place these families in hotels in cities and towns throughout the region without the need for local approval and in many instances without prior notice."

Galvin continued: "Federal inaction on immigration reform has created and worsened a nationwide immigration crisis at our borders, and the state's 'Right to Shelter' law (one of only three in the country) has made Massachusetts an attractive destination for migrants.

"This one/two combination is unfairly impacting communities across the Commonwealth, where over 20,0000 migrants are currently being housed in hotels in over 90 communities, including Woburn. Unless there is change at the federal level or in state law this crisis will continue to grow."

Galvin said the city would welcome the migrant families and that taking care of the families would be a team effort.

"As Woburn residents have always done, we will help the new members of our community adjust, feel welcomed, thrive and become productive residents in our great city," Galvin said.

Galvin added: "I am confident that by working collaboratively with School Superintendent (Matthew) Crowley and his staff, Police Chief Rufo, Fire Chief (Donald) Kenton, city departments, the School Committee, city council and local charitable organizations, we are prepared for and will meet the challenge."

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