The Republican Party headquarters in Hillsborough, North Carolina, was targeted with arson and graffiti, according to several reports. No injuries were sustained in the incident.
According to a press release from the town’s website, the headquarters was struck overnight when “flammable material” was thrown through a window. Someone also wrote “Nazi Republicans leave town or else” in graffiti on the side of the building, according to authorities.
“The office itself is a total loss,” Dallas Woodhouse, executive director of the North Carolina Republican party told the Charlotte Observer. “The only thing important to us is that nobody was killed, and they very well could have been.”
“Whether you are Republican, Democrat or Independent, all Americans should be outraged by this hate-filled and violent attack against our democracy,” Woodhouse added. “Everyone in this country should be free to express their political viewpoints without fear for their own safety.”
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In one photo, melted “Trump Pence 2016” signs had been destroyed.
Jonathan Drew/AP
“This highly disturbing act goes far beyond vandalizing property; it willfully threatens our community’s safety via fire, and its hateful message undermines decency, respect and integrity in civic participation,” Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens said in the town’s press release. “I believe I speak for the overwhelming majority of people who make Hillsborough their home: Acts like this have no place in our community. Our law enforcement officials are responding quickly and thoroughly to investigate this reprehensible act and prosecute the perpetrators.”
North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Patsy Keever joined in on denouncing the attack, calling it “outrageous.”
“The North Carolina Democratic Party strongly condemns this attack. Violence has no place in our political system,” she said, according to the Observer. “We hope the perpetrators of this attack are brought to swift justice, and we are thankful that no one was hurt. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone at the North Carolina Republican Party.”
