Following the disruption of a virtual NAACP event on Sunday by racist and sexual content, Hillsborough community members rallied in support of Black and Latinx residents.

The Northern Orange NAACP chapter held a virtual town hall event on how to transform and improve law enforcement Sunday afternoon. According to the organization and Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver, the town hall was interrupted when users began posting racist imagery and slurs, as well as videos of graphic content like KKK rallies and sexual material. Weaver wrote in a Facebook post the white supremacist users “showed up in the chat under the names of people who were legitimate participants on the call.”

The mayor wrote in her post the Northern Orange NAACP’s Communications Chair, who was running the virtual event, abruptly ended it due to the content and distraction the intentional racism caused.

The local NAACP chapter also wrote on its Facebook page following the incident.

“We the members of the Executive Board of the Northern Orange NAACP apologize to all the speakers, guest and supporters who were abruptly interrupted at today’s Town Hall II,” it reads. “It’s a shame that respectful dialogue cannot be engaged in without that portion of the population that believes people of color are less than [them.]”

Shortly after the event, a community group called Hillsborough Progressives Taking Action held a rally and press conference at the historic county courthouse to denounce the actions of the disrupting users.

In her post, Weaver also expressed her support of Hillsborough’s Black and Latinx communities, saying its imperative residents understand the proximity of racism.

“It is incumbent upon every person who is interested in the liberation of all people, in building a community and world where this type of behavior and traumatization would be unthinkable, to join in this struggle. Each of us must find our role. Each of us must commit. I extend my deepest wishes and dreams of love and protection to every person of color who just experienced that awfulness. I extend my deepest commitment to being in solidarity with you in creating true and genuine safety. I love you.”

The Northern Orange NAACP also affirmed it would not let the disturbing actions from Sunday deter the organization from sharing its stories or silencing its members’ perspectives.

“You know you are doing the right thing when people feel they have to disrupt your mission or resort to childish behavior as a way to upset your moment,” reads its post. “We will reschedule [the town hall] and secure our voices.”

Orange County Schools offered a statement online, saying it “will not stand for racism of any kind in our schools or our community.”

The town hall to discuss law enforcement reform comes after months of denouncement of systemic racism from Americans and others around the world, sparked by the death of George Floyd. Hillsborough has seen numerous demonstrations in support of police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement.

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