Will Hogan stand up to hate?

We are Maryland voters from all over our state writing to request that Gov. Larry Hogan make a statement publicly and clearly condemning racial and religious hatred and extremism in our state (“Frosh launches Maryland hate crime hotline,” Nov. 17). These acts are inconsistent with our deeply held values of equality and respect for difference, values that we seek to instill in our children and that we seek to live by every day

According to recent press reports, swastikas have appeared on the walls of Westland Middle School and Burning Tree Elementary School. Someone wrote “kill kill kill Blacks” on a wall at Sligo Creek Elementary School. A slur against African-Americans appeared on a flier advertising a blood drive at Fallston High School in Harford County. An Episcopal church that serves the Latino community was vandalized with the words “whites only” and “Trump Nation” in Silver Spring. A swastika with the message “white power” was painted on an I-83 exit ramp in Baltimore. And the list, unfortunately, goes on.

We are proud of our elected officials who have spoken out against these acts, like Attorney General Brian Frosh and Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and who are looking for ways to strengthen our state’s response to hate crimes and the teaching of respect for difference in our schools. We are also proud of incoming Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Ben Cardin, and many other elected officials who have spoken out against the appointment of Stephen Bannon, who has been associated with the alt-right and white ethno-nationalism.

Many of us have called you in the last few days asking for you to speak out and take action against the upsurge of hatred in our state, to speak out against the appointment of Mr. Bannon and to stand up for Maryland values. We have heard nothing in response.

We want you to make us proud, Governor Hogan. Will you?