A Political Prank Offensive To All

The New Britain Democratic Party condemned a fraudulent, vulgar and offensive letter mailed to residents in early September that made derogatory statements about Polish and Latino residents of the city. The letter, deliberately designed to look as if it were an official mailing from city Democrats, was sent through the U.S. Mail to a number households.

The Democratic Town Committee (DTC) called on all Republican-supported candidates to disavow and condemn the letter and insist that their campaigns and supporters refrain from such offensive political pranks. News stories in The Hartford Courant and New Britain Herald subsequently quoted several elected officials, including Republican Ald. Louis Salvio, as condemning the anonymous mailing.

"Racial and ethnic slurs have no place in our activities. This fraudulent letter is clearly a dirty trick designed to discredit efforts to increase involvement and participation of Democratic Party volunteers and their support of Democratic nominees ahead of this year's elections," said McNamara. "This letter embodies the kind of prejudice that I and the New Britain DTC fight to eradicate through political action every day."

The letter includes a vulgar reference to Polish people. McNamara condemned the letter as anti-Polish. "The Polish residents of New Britain deserve to be treated better than this," said McNamara. "As Chairman, let me say that the Democratic Party will always oppose this kind of attack on our Polish residents."

"I find this insulting to the community that I am proud that I grew up in," added State Representative Peter Tercyak (D-26). "It is discouraging to see that people still harbor this kind of prejudice, and to try to ruin a good man's reputation in the process. Whoever did this letter should be ashamed of themselves."

The letter alludes to the Democrats' current drive to increase participation and turnout. It includes a forged copy of the Democrats' "Associate Town Committee Participation Form." The actual form, available online at http://www.newbritaindemocrat.net/ , invites residents to participate in various campaign activities. The forgery changes the reference to "voter registration" to "Spanish voter registration." It also adds "illegal immigration" and "Sanchez – Town Chairman Committee" as volunteer options, the latter apparently a reference to newly elected Town Committee Vice Chairman Robert Sanchez.

"Personal attacks against me don't bother me," said Vice-Chairman Sanchez, "You judge yourself by your enemies. But I am concerned when Latino residents are so viciously attacked."

Representative Tim O'Brien (D-24), vice-chairman of the legislative elections committee, added, "This is strikingly similar to some of the voter suppression techniques used against voters in swing states in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections," noting a Center for Policy Alternatives report on the subject. "I hope that this is not a sign that we are going to see those kind of tactics here, with Connecticut so key to national politics this year."

Local Democrats are working to increase voter registration and turnout in heavily Democratic New Britain in an effort to elect Democratic candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress.

"New Britain Democrats are an open and inclusive party. No amount of anonymous dirty tricks will deter us from what we stand for and who we are working to elect," said McNamara.

McNamara, who does not know who prepared the fake letter, believes that the anonymous mailing came from a person or persons who would seek to win office through ethnic and racial divisiveness. "This shows that those voices have been reduced to childish pranks and have no influence on the Town Committee and the electorate."