(WXYZ) — Several people in the Grosse Pointe area are receiving anonymous letters that have them left feeling concerned. One thing they all have in common? A Black Lives Matter lawn sign.
Many of the homeowners feel the message was a form of harassment.
“It’s extremely weird. It kind of freaks me out,” said Nathan Foondle.
Last week, Foondle received a letter with no return address.
The anonymous writer expressed their opinions about the Black Lives Matter movement, calling it hateful, violent and included websites that support their opinion.
“I believe it is false media,” Foondle said.
The letter goes on to say there isn’t systemic racism in America and that the resident should remove the sign. Foondle posted the letter on social media. Turns out many folks in the area with a BLM sign received the same letter.
Foondle said the writer “really singled out families.” His neighbor, David Bush, has a BLM sign outside of his home.
“We believe in the Black Lives Matter (movement). We believe in equality for all people,” Bush said.
He too received a letter in the mail last week.
“Sending a letter in this regard feels like an intimidation tactic rather than an attempt to get to know someone and get to understand their views,” he said.
Yesterday we talked w/ a man who believes vandals targeted him because of a “Trump 2020” sign.
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) November 5, 2020
Today, we talked to several Grosse Pointe area residents who have #BlackLivesMatter signs on their lawn & received anonymous letters they say is meant to intimidate them. Story at 6pm pic.twitter.com/JbHRYulWjx
We reached out to several people on social media who said they received the same letter. One man said his lawn sign looks a little different than others but still has the Black Lives Matter message.
He believes the writer is a judgmental racist trying to intimidate people.
Amy Krauss also has a Black Lives Matter sign and received the letter the night before Election Day. At first, she was concerned because it felt threatening.
“It makes me feel better that I wasn’t the only person,” she explained. “Clearly, they’ve been in front of my house and they might be a well-meaning person, just a little misguided. I’m not sure. But the fact is, I didn’t know.”
All of the folks we spoke did not file a police report but some did say they made a complaint to the U.S. Postal Service since the letter was mailed. They all say a conversation is the best way to express opinions, not a letter like this.
“I will talk to you. I have no problem talking to you,” Foondle said.
The folks 7 Action News spoke with also said they will be leaving their sign up.
We reached out to the USPS to find out how many complaints were made. We are waiting to hear back.
