[Portland Press Herald] Hate groups are on the march in Maine

Portland Press Herald, “Hate groups are on the march in Maine”

By Eric Russel and John Terhune, Staff writers

Sunday, July 23rd, 2023

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A three-month investigation by the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram reveals that white nationalist groups are increasing their presence in Maine. Ignoring them would be a mistake, experts say.

Reza Jalali, director of the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center, said the NSC-131 members who marched on April 1 stopped in front of the center. It was closed at the time, but someone who lives in a nearby apartment took photographs. What if it had been open, he wonders?

“What concerns me of course is the safety of our clients and team members,” Jalali said. “It’s heartbreaking, too, because so many immigrants have escaped violence to come here. They are seeking safety here. So, to now be confronted with this? Even if it’s not the same type of violence, hate is hate.”

Jalali said he believes in free speech but also said authorities need to consider the impact of terrorizing a community.

“Normalizing this behavior is very dangerous. If the community isn’t forceful in identifying them and calling them out, they might be more likely to come back,” he said. “(Nazi) Germany didn’t start with gas chambers.”