Police Investigate 'Act Of Racist Hate' In Norristown

NORRISTOWN, PA — Norristown authorities say they are investigating a racist effigy found suspended from a downtown Norristown building Thursday morning.

Details about the incident remain scarce, but several authorities, including Norristown's police department and its local NAACP branch, released statements opposing the incident.

According to the Municipality of Norristown, an item was found on a building in downtown Norristown. The item — described only as an effigy — was covered in racial epithets and objects.

Norristown's council issued a statement criticizing the act, along with any other racist behavior in the municipality.

“The Municipal Council of Norristown does not stand for any racist, sexist, or other hateful actions and behaviors in any of its residents or visitors to demean and belittle others," the statement reads. "Norristown is home to over 35,000 people whose diverse backgrounds make it a melting pot of cultures from block to block, neighborhood to neighborhood."

Norristown police also addressed the incident, describing it as an "act of racist hate involving a figure being suspended from a local building."

"This behavior was designed to divide us, but we won’t let it. It is also meant to cause pain and suffering," the police department's statement reads. "We hope that healing will happen as we consciously decide to double-down on treating everyone that we encounter with dignity respect. We are moving as quickly as we can to identify the offender and take all necessary action to ensure that he or she gets the help and the justice that they deserve.”

The NAACP of Norristown said it is looking into the incident alongside police: "Thank you to all who reached out regarding the racist incident in Norristown today. It will take all of us standing united to make it clear that this type of hateful, racist behavior will not be tolerated."

Norristown Area School District Superintendent Christopher Dormer denounced the action, saying on Twitter that the school district stands in solidarity with the municipality, police and the NAACP in denouncing the act of racism.

"We are ready and willing to help," Dormer wrote.

This story was updated Friday morning to clarify that police identified the item as an effigy. No further details were available.