New York Daily News reported that a Sikh mayoral candidate has been called a terrorist in flyers left on car windshields.
Ravinder Bhalla is the first Sikh to hold elected office in New Jersey. He is a candidate for mayor of Hoboken. Some flyers were left on car windshields on Friday night. The flyers had Bhalla’s photo and text in red letters above that read: "Don't let terrorism take over our Town!"
Ravinder Bhalla tweeted a photo of the flyer. He said, “Yesterday, a flyer w/ word “terrorist” above a pic of me was circulated in Hob. Of course this is troubling, but we won’t let hate win.”
Officials, including another mayoral candidate Mike DeFusco condemned the flyers. Media reports alleged that the leaflets appear to be modified version mailers sent out by Mike DeFusco.
DeFusco released a statement condemning the altered flyers.
"Today I spoke out not only against the racist, disgusting flyers targeting Ravi Bhalla that appeared last night and was made to look like it came from my campaign, but also against the rest of the hate that has been shamefully displayed throughout this race," Mr. DeFusco said.
Bhalla said that hate should not win. "I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character - not by the colour of our skin or how we worship," Mr. Bhalla said in the statement.
