RI State Senator-Elect Alleged He is Being Targeted By NeoNazis
Sunday, October 28, 2018
State Senator-elect Sam Bell has taken to social media alleging that he and his partner have been targeted by individuals with ties to NeoNazis.
Bell says he went public after Saturday’s shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA in which 11 were murdered and 6 were wounded.
“The NeoNazi website Stormfront has started a thread featuring me and Samantha. They don't like that we identify as Jewish and bisexual, and they have truly gross things to say. They also make absolutely disgusting comments about my friend Mel DuPont. An activist and constituent who has been the subject of revolting online harassment from NeoNazis, Katherine Wela Bogen, was mentioned in it, and she alerted us to this thread. Katherine and Mel both told us they were okay with being identified here, and we would like to thank them for both their bravery and their activism,” wrote Bell.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBell Says there are ties to Rhode Island political issues.
READ THE REST OF BELL’S COMMENTS
“We find this especially alarming given the horrific synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh and the rise of NeoNazi violence.
We thought for a while about whether to say something about this. We were concerned about raising their profile by even acknowledging them. However, we have decided to speak out for a few reasons:
First of all, it is important for people to know the degree to which these movements reach out and threaten so many people.
Secondly, we believe it is important for them to know that we are not intimidated by them, that we are proud to be Jewish and proud to be bisexual.
Most importantly, we are extremely alarmed by how this thread begins with one of the NeoNazis criticizing liberals for "bullying" Senate President Dominic Ruggerio and House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello. We are horrified by the thought that Neonazis believe they may have an ally in the leaders of Rhode Island's conservative machine inside our Democratic Party. On far too many occasions, powerful politicians like Trump (and some other conservatives) have delayed condemnation and thrown in qualifications, winks, and dog whistles that send a message that empowers these people.
We believe that Ruggerio and Mattiello do not in any way condone the NeoNazis, and we are calling on them to join us in condemning them. We are asking them to, without any qualifications, denounce the NeoNazis, declare that they do not want their support or votes, and state that this is in no way what the conservative movement inside the Rhode Island Democratic Party stands for. We believe that this will send an important message to the NeoNazis that no one in Rhode Island's political world tolerates or in any way accepts their hate.
I have posted screenshots. I haven't posted a link because I don't want their website to get any more hits.
This story was first published 10/27/18 6:24 PM
