WEST CHESTER TWP., Ohio — West Chester Police are investigating a racist letter one family said was mailed to them earlier in the week. The letter, laden with racial slurs and derogatory language, demands the family take down their yard signs supporting President-elect Joe Biden and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mia Harlan said when her husband, Brian, opened a letter from the mail late last week, his reaction told her it wasn't a typical piece of mail.
"The way he responded, the way he acted, told me something wasn't right," said Mia.
The Harlans have a Black Lives Matter flag and campaign signs for Biden in their yard. The letter the couple received threatens vandalism if the signs aren't taken down. It states, in part, "if you don't take that s*** down in a hurry, we'll be aiming at your house, your cars and you."
Mia said she was disgusted and angry, and the couple reported the letter to West Chester Police.
"Stay away from my family," said Mia. "Stay away from my property... What else would they do? Will they actually come to our home and try to harm us? Or try to harm our children? Our grandchildren?"
The Harlans said they're taking extra precautions to stay safe, but refuse to take down the signs in their yard.
"My message for them is, if you don't understand what you see when this sign here saying "Black Lives Matter," if you don't understand the message here, then this is absolutely the thing that needs to be here," said Brian.
Barbara Wilson, spokeswoman for West Chester Township, released the following statement on Monday:
“The matter is being taken very seriously by the West Chester Police Department. The letter is very disturbing and is being actively investigated.
“There are really no further details we can offer at this time.”
