The white-hot and increasingly radical rhetoric in the home stretch of the 2016 presidential election has once again bubbled over into violence. Police in Hillsborough, North Carolina are investigating damage done early Sunday morning to the Orange County Republican Party headquarters there. Mayor Tom Stevens in a statement said that the building “was struck overnight with hate graffiti and with a flammable material thrown through a front window.” No injuries were reported.
Firebomb through window that said "freedom speaks" at orange co gop. This will not deter good people from exercising their rights. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/22tRYqOv3h
— Kami M. Bonner (@kamimueller) October 16, 2016
The graffiti, which actually appeared on an adjacent building, reportedly included a swastika and the words “Nazi Republicans leave town or else.” The Charlotte Observer notes that “Orange County, home to the University of North Carolina in nearby Chapel Hill, is overwhelmingly Democratic,” with Democrats and independents outnumbering Republicans 5-1.
Last night the Orange County Republican Party in NC was viciously fire bombed. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/TayJcdMMX1
— NCGOP (@NCGOP) October 16, 2016
Any information citizens may have about this crime can be relayed anonymously through Hillsborough’s website or the local police department’s tip line at 919-732-3975. Tipsters can also directly contact Investigator Jon Purvis by email or by phone at 919-732-9381, ext. 37.
Update 4:39pm CT: Democrats in North Carolina have officially condemned the attack, as has Hillary Clinton.
NCDP strongly condemns the attack on the Orange County GOP HQ. Violence has no place in our political system. pic.twitter.com/EHBWTab0CO
— NC Democratic Party (@NCDemParty) October 16, 2016
The attack on the Orange County HQ @NCGOP office is horrific and unacceptable. Very grateful that everyone is safe.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 16, 2016
Update 5:32pm CT: Trump has responded to the bombing with his usual level-headed calmness, while the North Carolina GOP is asking all county offices to close at sunset.
Animals representing Hillary Clinton and Dems in North Carolina just firebombed our office in Orange County because we are winning @NCGOP
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2016
.@NCGOP is asking all county offices in the state to close voluntarily at sunset tonight. "Catch their breath and assess security" #ABC11
— Tim Pulliam (@ABC7Tim) October 16, 2016