Virginia families who support Black Lives Matter and Democratic candidates have received anonymous letters urging them to move out according to CBS News 6. A homeowner in the Hallshley at Midlothian community showed the letter to the news outlet.
The anonymous person criticized families for posting Black Lives Matter and campaign signs supporting Democratic candidates in their yards. The writer urges the homeowners to leave the neighborhood and move someone else.
“So it is safe to assume you really hate your country and you don’t care about the future of your children. If you haven’t noticed or will soon.. you are being shunned here in Hallsley. How about moving ??” the letter stated.
The letter was signed, “Your Hallsley Neighbors..”
The homeowner says they have given the document over to the police.
The families who received a letter collectively sent a statement to CBS 6.
“On behalf of the families that were targeted for our political beliefs and support for human rights, we would like to first thank community members within Hallsley and at large that have rallied to our defense. We were all understandably shocked and dismayed to find out that an individual or individual(s) harbor such feelings of hatred towards us for expressing our constitutionally protected beliefs. We are hurt, angry, and disappointed. However, we are strong and resolute in our beliefs and in our right to share them publicly. The matter has been turned over to the proper authorities and is being investigated. Out of respect for the investigation, the targets of these letters prefer not to make any public statements at this time. However, we want to take the opportunity to bring light to such intolerable behavior in the hopes that one day we can be better. In the near future, we hope to use this as an opportunity to foster frank discussion on difficult topics so that we may one day grow and thrive as a community despite our differences.”
Kelsea Baker has lived in the neighborhood for several years said she learned about the letter from the community Facebook page.
“I was really sad for my neighbors that got them and shocked. I was really hoping that it wasn’t perpetrated by someone who lives among us,” Baker explained. “It was threatening and a hateful and you certainly don’t want that in the same neighborhood where you live.”
Sara Yentes, a Chesterfield resident said the letter “outrageous.”
“Being hateful and sending hurtful messages is not the way to get anything accomplished,” she said. “Nobody should every feel that kind of hatefulness.”
Chesterfield Police said they received a report about the letters last week.
“At this point it does not appear that any crime has occurred. As always, we encourage residents to report suspicious incidents to police,” according to a police spokesperson.
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