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Resident urges action after neo‑Nazi propaganda distributed downtown; offers data support
Summary
A resident told the council that members of Patriot Front circulated white‑supremacist stickers and flyers in downtown Bangor on Sept. 14, and said he has coordinated with police, media and nonprofits and can provide data to a proposed task force.
Joe Lawler, a Bangor resident, told the council on Sept. 22 that on Sept. 14 he and others found what he described as neo‑Nazi propaganda being posted downtown and that volunteers from a group called Patriot Front were canvassing for new members. Lawler said he worked with Bangor Police Department, the Bangor Daily, Maine People’s Alliance, Street Plus, the Baldacci office and other organizations to collect and remove material and to analyze the incident.
"People do not visit Bangor to be confronted with ignorant hate posted on walls," Lawler said. He told the council his post about the incident had substantial reach online and that he had gathered demographic observations about those leaving the material — including ages and indicators of disaffection — and offered to assist the city if it forms a task force or subcommittee to understand and respond.
Lawler told the council he identified young adults, roughly 16 to 22, among those spreading the materials and expressed concern about the economic and reputational impact on downtown businesses and tourism. He said he has been coordinating with public and private partners to remove the material and explore preventive options.
Another speaker, Scott Pardi, said the sequence of investigations and ethics referrals before the council makes the city's public image "look really bad" and urged members to step back. The council did not take formal action on the incident at the meeting, but Lawler said he would provide his services and data to any city effort to investigate or respond.
What was said
- Joe Lawler, Bangor resident: said he and others removed propaganda from downtown, coordinated with Bangor PD and local organizations, and offered to help form a task force. - Scott Pardi, resident: urged councilors to step back from internal disputes and suggested the public conflicts and investigations harm the city's reputation.
Council response and next steps
Council members listening did not vote on a formal city action at the meeting. Lawler offered to work with the council and city staff; he also said he would be available after the meeting to discuss his findings. The council did not establish a task force at the meeting and directed no formal staff follow-up on the matter during this session.
Ending
Residents who reported the incident urged collaboration between residents, police and community organizations to remove propaganda and to study preventive steps; the council did not adopt any new policy or form a task force during the Sept. 22 meeting.
