10/20/2026
The Manchester Branch of the NAACP strongly condemns the racist, antisemitic, and homophobic graffiti found overnight Saturday in multiple Manchester neighborhoods. These are not simply acts of vandalism. They are deliberate expressions of racism, antisemitism, and homophobia that affect more than the individual property owners. They send a message of hatred and intimidation to entire communities.
According to the Manchester Police Department, officers have identified 15 incidents of criminal mischief involving hateful messages, including on Candia Road, Gabrielle Street, and South Beech Street. Police said the properties appear to have been chosen at random, with no indication that specific individuals were targeted. The messages themselves are not random.
This follows an earlier incident on September 16th 2026, at The Moka Pot, a downtown Manchester business. The hateful messages have now spread to residential neighborhoods, where families woke up to find them outside their homes.
“These acts are not simply property crimes; they are expressions of hatred intended to intimidate and divide our community,” said Arnold Mikolo, Branch President of the Manchester NAACP. “No resident should have to wake up to racist, antisemitic, or homophobic messages outside their home. These incidents affect not only the families whose properties were vandalized, but everyone who has experienced discrimination and intimidation because of who they are. Manchester belongs to everyone, not just a few. Our city is diverse, and everyone belongs, regardless of skin color, race, faith, or whom they love.”
“Acts like these do not intimidate us. They only make things worse for everyone, which is why everyone should be concerned. The damage and intimidation have already happened, and our responsibility is to address that reality and demand accountability,” Mikolo said.
The Manchester NAACP thanks Chief Peter Marr and the Manchester Police Department for their prompt response and continued investigation, and we echo the Chief’s statement that everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in Manchester. We say this respectfully but firmly: the Branch will do its part to ensure accountability, and we will stand with MPD and city leadership until it is achieved.
“The intent of messages like these is to sow fear,” Mikolo said. “But they may have an effect the perpetrators never intended. People can no longer sit idly by and say ‘there’s no racism here,’ or ignore the effects of a political climate that says it is okay to attack people for the color of their skin, their religion or who they love. Instead, people may start thinking, ‘we have a serious problem.’ Some will try to dismiss this as the act of one disturbed individual. That would be a mistake. It would ignore the hatred these messages carry and the community they were meant to terrorize.”
“We stand united as a community and as a city. As a branch, our mission is to ensure Manchester is an inclusive city where no one lives in fear. Acts like these must not go unaddressed. The Manchester NAACP calls upon city leadership and law enforcement to treat these incidents with the seriousness they deserve. Condemnation alone is not enough. We expect a thorough investigation, accountability for those responsible, and meaningful action to address the hatred that continues to exist in our community.”
Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity or has surveillance or doorbell camera footage from the affected areas is urged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 603-668-8711. The Manchester NAACP also encourages residents to report hateful graffiti to police rather than remove it right away, so evidence can be preserved.
About the Manchester NAACP
The Manchester Branch of the NAACP works to achieve equality, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand civil and human rights and eliminate discrimination. Through advocacy, education, economic justice, and community programs, the branch works toward an inclusive Manchester where all people can live free from discrimination and fear.
Manchester N.A.A.C.P. Unit # 2069
