Courtesy photo State Rep. Manny Espitia of Nashua photographed the anti-Semetic and racist graffiti that a white supremacist group left on a wall along the Nashua Rail Trail. (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA – The individuals who claimed responsibility for the anti-Semitic and racist graffiti discovered recently along a downtown segment of the Nashua Rail Trail are believed to be connected to the group that staged a “white lives matter” demonstration two weeks ago at City Hall Plaza.

A photo posted on social media of the latter incident, which reportedly took place May 8, shows seven people holding up what appear to be some type of flaming objects with smoke coming out of them.

Some of the people are holding aloft a banner that states “white lives matter” and bears images of two people’s faces in the middle.

Most recently, members of a white supremacist group called “NSC-131,” who claimed credit for the graffiti that bore the phrases “Keep New England white,” “Defend New England” and “Death to Israel,” attacked state Rep. Manny Espitia through social media posts after he publicly denounced the graffiti.

Espitia, a Democrat, is one of three state representatives serving Hillsborough District 31, which is Nashua’s Ward 4.

Courtesy photo An image from a social media post shows a group of white supremacists staging a "white lives matter" demonstration on City Hall Plaza earlier this month. The participants, who appear to be holding flaming objects, may be connected to NSC-131, the white supremacist group that has targeted state Rep. Manny Espitia of Nashua over the past week. (Courtesy photo)

It was Ward 4 Alderman Tom Lopez who discovered the graffiti, Espitia said Sunday. Lopez promptly removed it, but Espitia took some photos that he posted on social media, along with statements condemning the actions.

“For folks who think that we live in a ‘color blind society,’ you’re absolutely wrong,” Espitia wrote. “This was done my my district … in a mostly Latino neighborhood.”

Espitia said Sunday the location of the graffiti wasn’t far from his home.

“It’s just down the street,” he said. “I walk my dog through there all the time.”

In response to Espitia’s online comments, the white supremacist group fired back just a day later with a racist diatribe.

State Rep. Manny Espitia

“Anyone with a name like ‘Manny Espitia’, State Rep or not, has no moral right to throw shade at any true (White) Nationalist New Hampshirite,” the group wrote, according to a news report.

Espitia, the group wrote, “has no right to be here,” and referred to him as “an occupier here and the days of these types trampling on New England are coming to an end.”

Espitia, undaunted by the racist rants, said he encourages Nashuans, and Granite Staters, to remain vigilant in the face of racism.

“I want to make sure folks now that there are people perpetrating acts of white supremacy right down the street here in Nashua,” he said, referring to the graffiti incident.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Jane Young told news outlets that her office, including representatives of the Civil Rights unit, are investigating the incidents.

They are seeking to determine whether the incidents rise to the level of a hate crime, and whether civil penalties are appropriate.

Over the weekend, meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, joined the numerous local and state lawmakers who expressed support for Espitia.

“We must not tolerate racism and antisemitism. All Granite Staters deserve to feel safe in their homes and welcome in their communities,” Hassan wrote in a post, adding that she thanks Espitia “for standing up against hate.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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