Police: Neo Nazis show up to library holding swastika flag
"We were terrified," says the Library Director.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)-
Police say that a group of 15-20 people – described by officers as Neo Nazis- showed up to a community reading holding a swastika flag at the Red Ink Community Library on Monday night.
Video captured during the encounter shows people attending the reading being interrupted by outside chanting and banging on windows.
The video also shows someone holding up a flag at the window with a swastika sign on it. “We were terrified,” said David Railenu, Library Director. “It was a brutal scene.”
On Twitter, Red Ink Community Library made a post saying, “We held a peaceful celebration of the communist manifesto tonight for 45 minutes and it was interrupted by a group of fascists and Nazis.”
“They showed up on our sidewalk, banged on our glass windows, shouted horrible slurs, and attempted to assault our members,” says the library.
When police arrived on scene, the group dispersed, and left the area. There was not any damage to the building.
In a statement, Mayor Jorge Elorza says, “Providence is home to diverse people cultures, and ideas and our city has no room for hate-filled actions meant to intimidate and cause fear.”
“My administration is committed to making every resident feel safe and protecting the rights of people who are gathering peacefully,” continued Elorza.
“I am absolutely sickened by the image of a swastika waving in the streets of Providence. Hate groups like neo-Nazis and white supremacists have no place in our city,” said Congressman Cicilline. “Groups like these and the hatred they spew have too often led to terrible violence. The rise of neo-Nazis, white supremacy, and antisemitism in our country is not something we can afford to ignore. This hatred and last night’s attack are a scourge on our community, and we must all condemn it in the strongest terms.”
McKee also weighed in, calling the incident ‘unacceptable and disgusting.’
“There is no place for hate in our communities or state,” says McKee. “I stand with those condemning last night’s acts.”
Neighbors say this is out of the ordinary for the Mt. Hope area. “I was just so disgusted and completely surprised honestly that something like that could happen just down the street for us,” says Kelly Clifton, a local resident.
Officials says anyone with information regarding the incident involving a swastika flag is encouraged to contact the Providence Police Department at (401)-272-3121.
This is a developing story, check back to ABC6 for updates.
