White power group attacked by small group of individuals — Worcester, MA

Mention “white power” to most people and intolerance and violence often come to mind. Last month, it was a white pride group that became the victims.

The monthly meeting of the North East White Pride group at the Worcester Public Library was disrupted May 21 when between nine and 10 young people reportedly wearing bandanas, hoods or other partial disguises burst into the meeting, assaulted two meeting-goers and then fled.

Robert O’Donovan, of Haverhill, was one of the organizers of the meeting and said the disruption unfolded just as he arrived. He says one of his group was hit with a bicycle lock swung by one of the assailants. Another attendee was punched in the stomach, he says.

According to Worcester Public Library Head Librarian Mark Contois, the whole incident lasted about 50 seconds. Despite heightened police patrols during the event and an extra custodian placed at the entrance of the library, the group snuck in, assaulted two of the meeting-goers and left.

“We had discussed the situation two or three weeks in advance with the Worcester Police Department,” Contois says, “and they were here within moments.”

It only took moments, however, for the group of assailants to flee the library.

According to Contois, there were no prior protests to the meeting or signs of trouble. The library had ramped up its attention to the meeting, however, after concerns were expressed a few months ago when the public became aware the group was meeting at the library. The meetings, Contois says, usually consists of three or four individuals.

http://www.worcesterwired.com/2011/06/03/white-pride-group-attacked-at-worcester-public-library/

• 10 June 2011