APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A national organization is spreading what many are calling an unwanted message of hate in Appleton. And that’s making Appleton District 2 alderperson Vered Meltzer angry.
“They said very hurtful things which I will not repeat or refer to because I will not give that message a platform.”
He tells FOX 11 fascist propaganda has been spotted in his city.
“They were material of a white supremacist nature, promoting an organization that promotes hate-fueled ideology.”
A Twitter account that appears connected to the group “Patriot Front” claims it posted the stickers last month.
Although they’ve since been removed the vandalism showed up in different places throughout the city of Appleton, including light poles and street signs.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Front is a white nationalist hate group.
It says the group is an off-shoot of the one behind 2017’s deadly “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Patriot Front Twitter account claims stickers similar to those in Appleton have been put up in cities across the country.
“I saw the pictures of them of where they were,” said Nate Wolf, an Appleton resident.
He doesn’t like giving these groups attention.
“They just want exactly this kind of coverage and the more coverage they get the more they go out and do.”
Meltzer agrees. But he also believes white nationalism has to be called out.
“I feel it’s my responsibility as a leader and as a Jewish-American I can never be silent in the face of this type of rhetoric.”
He wants everyone in the community to feel safe.
“This isn’t about that message. This is about healing the community about comforting the people who feel pain from it right now.”
The stickers were removed right away.
