Peter Eliopoulos
Reporter
Updated: 5:48 PM EDT Jul 24, 2023
HANOVER, Mass. — A Massachusetts family is speaking out about a letter they received in the mail criticizing their home displays. While the homeowners found the letter offensive, police said it contained free speech that doesn't meet the criteria for harassment.
David Thomas, of Hanover, said he assumed the letter was a card for his child because their birthday had just passed. But instead, someone had penned their displeasure with the flags and signs displayed on his home.
"It was just kind of a little frightening," Thomas said. "They want us to take down the Pride flags. It says no one cares. 'Take down the Black Lives Matter signs. Black Lives Matter is a scam,' they say. They want us to take our Bernie Sanders sticker off the mailbox. 'It's the law,' they say."
The letter, which was sent through the U.S. Postal Service without a return address, also urged the family to move to California or Oregon so they could: "Enjoy living with the rest of the nuts."
"We have every right to put these flags in front of our house and to express our opinions," Thomas said. "I've been seeing a lot of people expressing their opinions in a lot more impolite ways."
Thomas reported the letter to Hanover police, who confirmed they are investigating the incident but noted that, like Thomas' flags and signs, the letter is also protected by the First Amendment. Thomas said he recognizes that but added he is hoping this is the only time this happens to his family.
"We're just keeping our eyes open and making sure that nothing else happens because we want to make sure we keep our kids safe," Thomas said. "It's a little nerve-wracking, and it makes me angry and upset."
Thomas said he and his family have no intention of taking down their flags and signs. Despite no crime being committed at this point, Hanover police said they are going to keep an eye on the home and have urged the family to report any more incidents.
Source (Archive)
Reporter
Updated: 5:48 PM EDT Jul 24, 2023
HANOVER, Mass. — A Massachusetts family is speaking out about a letter they received in the mail criticizing their home displays. While the homeowners found the letter offensive, police said it contained free speech that doesn't meet the criteria for harassment.
David Thomas, of Hanover, said he assumed the letter was a card for his child because their birthday had just passed. But instead, someone had penned their displeasure with the flags and signs displayed on his home.
"It was just kind of a little frightening," Thomas said. "They want us to take down the Pride flags. It says no one cares. 'Take down the Black Lives Matter signs. Black Lives Matter is a scam,' they say. They want us to take our Bernie Sanders sticker off the mailbox. 'It's the law,' they say."
The letter, which was sent through the U.S. Postal Service without a return address, also urged the family to move to California or Oregon so they could: "Enjoy living with the rest of the nuts."
"We have every right to put these flags in front of our house and to express our opinions," Thomas said. "I've been seeing a lot of people expressing their opinions in a lot more impolite ways."
Thomas reported the letter to Hanover police, who confirmed they are investigating the incident but noted that, like Thomas' flags and signs, the letter is also protected by the First Amendment. Thomas said he recognizes that but added he is hoping this is the only time this happens to his family.
"We're just keeping our eyes open and making sure that nothing else happens because we want to make sure we keep our kids safe," Thomas said. "It's a little nerve-wracking, and it makes me angry and upset."
Thomas said he and his family have no intention of taking down their flags and signs. Despite no crime being committed at this point, Hanover police said they are going to keep an eye on the home and have urged the family to report any more incidents.
Source (Archive)
