Published: 12/2/2022 3:22:42 PM
Modified: 12/2/2022 3:22:29 PM
In the past year, Franklin has had a lot to celebrate. The state’s smallest city, in the midst of a period of growth and revitalization, has welcomed a new white water padding park to town. The number of new building permits issued has grown each year – with more businesses and newcomers moving to the city.
But in recent months, the city has been confronted with overt displays of white supremacy and targeted attacks.
Recently, swastikas and “white power” were recently spray painted along the side of the Old Armory Building adjacent to O’Dell Park in Franklin. Police are looking for the public’s help to identify whoever is responsible for the latest display of hate in the city.
The incident is now under investigation by the Franklin police department. A cash reward is offered for information provided that leads to an arrest.
The targeted attacks began this summer when the Broken Spoon, a local Jewish-Asian fusion restaurant, saw negative online reviews from the neo-Nazi hate group the Nationalist Social Club, known as NSC-131.
This recent graffiti, which has since been covered, comes on the heels of the city’s attempts to address its values. In September, the city council adopted an official hate and intolerance resolution in response to the white supremacist attacks.
“In particular, the city condemns white supremacists who have attacked our citizens based on an ideology that is in opposition to our country’s and our state’s founding documents,” the resolution reads.
Now, after the latest incidents, city leaders are again speaking out against displays of intolerance.
“This is not who we are as a community,” George Dzujna, a city councilor in Ward 1, said in a statement. “Franklin is better than this. The perpetrators of this activity, which constitutes a crime, must be held accountable.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Concord Regional Crimeline at 603-226-3100 to provide a tip anonymously. The Franklin police department are also receiving tips at 603-934-2535.