Racist Letter Campaign Spreads Fear in Oregon
Several residents of Oregon are reeling after receiving a series of anonymous letters that urge them to report, among other things, "Brown Illegals" and "Truckers with beards" to their local authorities. The letters, which are filled with racist and xenophobic language, have been targeting homes in several Oregon communities, spread out across the state.
According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, the letters began arriving in December and have since been sent to at least 50 households in the Portland area alone. The messages are often hand-written, filled with misspellings and grammatical errors, and are laced with racial stereotypes and conspiracy theories.
In addition to warning about "Brown Illegals" and "Truckers with beards," the letters also urge recipients to report suspected gang activity, drug users, and any inappropriate behavior in their neighborhoods to their local law enforcement agencies. The letters are signed with a declaration that reads "For the safety of our communities and our great nation."
Local law enforcement officials have condemned the letters, calling the language and tone "deplorable" and "hateful." They are urging residents to refrain from engaging with the messages and instead report any suspicious activity to their local authorities.
"This is not a call to action, but a hate-fueled attempt to manipulate and divide our community," said Sheriff Mike Reese. "We are working closely with the FBI and other agencies to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice."
This is not the first time that racist and xenophobic messages have appeared in Oregon. In recent years, there have been several instances of reported hate crimes and harassment targeting Oregon’s immigrant and minority communities. However, law enforcement officials and community leaders are urging residents to remain vigilant and to stand together against hate.
"This is a difficult time for many Oregonians, and it requires all of us to come together and show that we will not be intimidated by fear or hate," said Governor Kate Brown. "We will continue to stand strong against hatred and work to build a more inclusive and compassionate community for all."