Racist graffiti appears to target Wayland School Boston superintendent 25 News

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WAYLAND, Mass. – Eight hours after police discovered racist graffiti on the Wayland Community Pool building which sits just yards from the high school campus, Spencer Ryan and his twin brother Owen came out to protest.

Why would anyone do that, anyway, Owen said.

Police say someone painted the words, Omar, with a racial slur apparently targeting the town’s school superintendent, Dr Omar Easy.

In recent months, Easy has been under investigation by the school committee over allegations that he used intimidating language during a meeting with school administrators in October. Easy has denied these accusations.

Regardless of Easys’ issues with the school committee, in a joint statement, city officials denounced the graffiti. The person or persons found responsible for this hateful message will be held accountable, Acting Police Chief Ed Burman said.

Wayland School Committee Chairman Chris Ryan issued this statement: I denounce this clear and blatant act of racism. This incident goes against the core values ​​of our community and undermines our ongoing work to create an inclusive environment for every member of the community.

Chief Burman said they were consulting with the New England Anti-Defamation League, which also condemned the graffiti. Acts of racism and hate, especially so close to a school, seek to intimidate and instill fear in the community and the individuals targeted by that hate, said ADL’s Peggy Shukur.

Jen Ryan, Spencer and Owens Mom, and a teacher said it was important for her boys to protest the graffiti.

As a mom and as an educator, it’s important that we teach all of our children to be allies, she said. And when they see something that’s not right, they stand up and speak up.

Ryan called Wayland a wonderful town that will no doubt respond appropriately to racist graffiti.

But Ben Clifford, who lives opposite the community pool, fears racism is something ingrained in suburban communities.

I think it’s a problem for the whole city, said Clifford, who attended Wayland High School for his freshman year in 2018 but later transferred. I’m not too offended by that because I think in predominantly white towns like Wayland there are people who are kind of not exposed to diversity.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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