Hate symbols associated with white supremacy, antisemitism painted on Mashpee buildings

Rachael Devaney, Cape Cod Times
·2 min read

MASHPEE — Rough and uneven scrub marks were all that was left over Thursday after two indigenous-based organizations were attacked with hate-based vandalism.

The building, which is occupied by the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, the Native Land Conservancy, and Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza was defaced Wednesday by graffiti, including swastika-type symbols, according to a Mashpee Police Department press release.

Reclamation Project founder Jessie "Little Doe" Baird said the Reclamation Project and the Conservancy are located on the right side of the building, where numbers and letters, which seem to represent white supremacy, were painted on the backside of the building. The vandalism could be seen from Route 130.

A commercial building in Mashpee, which is occupied by the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, the Native Land Conservancy and Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza was defaced Wednesday by graffiti, including swastika-type symbols, according to Mashpee Police.
A commercial building in Mashpee, which is occupied by the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project, the Native Land Conservancy and Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza was defaced Wednesday by graffiti, including swastika-type symbols, according to Mashpee Police.

No damage appeared on the portion of the building where Wildfire Brick Oven Pizza is located. A person by the name of Lisa from Wildfire told the Times she didn't see any graffiti and didn't wish to comment on the incident.

"Unfortunately this (the vandalism) is indicative of the atmosphere that’s grown throughout Mashpee," said Baird.

Mashpee Police said the scene was secured and several pieces of evidence were removed. Police are investigating.

"We have initiated directed patrols in the area, and we will continue to keep the safety and security of our residents as our highest priority," said Chief of Police Scott Carline in a press release.

Hateful graffiti was painted on the building before

This is the second time the building has been defaced, said Baird. In July 2023, during the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's "Homecoming" Powwow, the buildings were vandalized with spray-painted words that seemed to target the LGBTQ-plus community, she said.

Baird said racist views are nothing new. But she finds it ironic that people would target Wampanoag people and establishments.

"As Wampanoag people, we are raised to respect people whose homelands we are on," said Baird. "Some of the people doing this kind of tagging have not learned appropriate behavior from their parents."

Since the 1970s, there's been a drastic shift surrounding the Mashpee population, said Baird.

"Much of our traditional homelands have become gentrified and racist attitudes and behavior comes with that," said Baird. "It's not what you would expect from so-called educated and civilized people."

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Mashpee Indigenous-based buildings defaced with racist graffiti