Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, addressing information that Back the Blue would be in Arlington said in a Sept. 7 statement, “The Town of Arlington strongly condemns any group that stands for and encourages hate and racist views toward any members of the Arlington community,” the manager wrote. “Protests sponsored by groups like this are often focused on stoking civil unrest and creating fear in order to gain media attention.”
The next day, he responded to a query about the confusion from YourArlington: “I am glad to hear that Thursday’s events organizers are disavowing any affiliation with a hate group. I hope that these statements lead to a peaceful protest on Thursday.
“I’d further add that the group organizing Thursday’s event may want to reconsider operating under a name that is nearly identical to the name of a hate group. In this world of ‘dog whistles’ and virtue signaling, we all need to be careful with our words if we want our messages to be heard clearly.”
Anthony Federico, founder of the Abington-based American Backs the Blue posted a statement on Facebook on Sept. 9 disavowing the connection.
Elizabeth F. Pedrini
Elizabeth Pedrini is married to Robert Pedrini, a member of the Arlington Police Department. His brother, Lt. Richard Pedrini, is also a member of the APD. His dismissal has been sought by a number of community groups following inflammatory comments he made in October 2018 in a Massachusetts police publication.
On the Facebook page for America Backs the Blue, Mrs. Pedrini’s name is listed as Elizabeth Frances. She said it is typical for an officer’s wife to remove a last name for a social-media handle, a step she took about a year ago.
In the interview, Mrs. Pedrini asked why no one approached her “in a civil manner” before her name and information were publicly posted. She emphasized that her relationship to her husband has nothing to do with his brother Rick.
Car decal at issue
One of the issues America Backs the Blue is protesting is the removal of a decal from APD police cars. The organization wrote on Facebook: “They have ordered the thin blue line emblems that were ordered on the towns new K9 vehicle in 2017, taken off due to the flag being a ‘sign of hate.'”
The symbol of the thin blue line has been interpreted as a way to honor police officers but lately has been seen as controversial because it is viewed by some as a symbol of racism.
Asked about the decal by Your Arlington, Chapdelaine wrote, “I think it is important to make clear that this issue only involves one vehicle, so there is only one emblem in question.
“The actual story is that a resident wrote to me expressing concern after seeing the decal, I informed Chief Julie Flaherty of the concern and she told me that any such decals/stickers were not authorized under department policy and that she would have it removed.
“We later learned that it had been placed by the firm that wrapped the vehicle when it was originally acquired.”
He added: “[I]t wasn’t the ‘Thin Blue Line” that made it violate policy; it was that it was a decal of any nature that wasn’t authorized by the department.”
He noted that “a few years ago, we had shamrock decals removed from various pieces of fire apparatus for the same reason.”
Meanwhile, the counterprotest is expected to draw people concerned about the behavior of police in general and about the fact that the town did not fire Lt. Rick Pedrini after he made his controversial comments, including the phrase “let’s meet violence with violence.”
Arlington Fights Racism statement
A statement by Arlington Fights Racism alludes to Back the Blue, the organization deemed a hate group. It also raises concerns about issues of the destruction of Black Lives Matter banners and signs.
“Arlington Fights Racism is urging the Arlington Human Rights Commission, to not only publicly denounce the upcoming Back the Blue rally supported by a white supremacist group and the wife of Arlington Police officer Robert Pedrini (brother to APD’s openly racist but still earning $187,416 in 2019, Lt. Rick Pedrini), but to also call upon our town leadership, including Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine, Police Chief Flaherty and the Select Board to also make public statements denouncing this rally.”
“We also ask that you call for the immediate firing of Lt. Rick Pedrini — an action the town should have taken 2 years ago and which has helped to create this toxic environment and embolden those who have defaced and destroyed over a dozen Black Lives Matter signs and banners, and a mural at homes as well as in front of our schools and churches, some marked with KKK imagery and those who attempt to intimidate people participating in the daily vigils along Mass. Ave. in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.”
In her interview, Mrs. Pedrini offered some history about America Backs the Blue. She said the effort to support police began as a South Shore Backs the Blue Facebook group. As its popularity increased, it changed its name to Massachusetts Backs the Blue and then changed to a nonprofit status and incorporated in June as America Backs the Blue.
She said a large banner saying “America Backs Blue” was used in a video showing officers in a July rally as legislators debated the police reform bill. See it here >>
She has a history of supporting police. Her efforts include the 2017 delivery of toys to Children’s Hospital and raising money in 2013 for Newton officers.
General evidence of connection
As to whether “Back the Blue” and America Backs the Blue are in fact connected, the evidence is general, not specific.
Federico’s Facebook profile shows images of both groups on its timeline.
The Back the Blue Facebook group offers links supporting police and also to negative portrayal of political issues. It does not reference America Backs the Blue.
The site does reference this website, Blue Lives Matter, titled The Police Tribune, a news/opinion site reporting police matters, including those lost in the line of duty. See its purpose and ownership here >> It does not reference America Backs the Blue.
Wikipedia reports more about Blue Lives Matter >>
The Arlington police and Arlington Fights Racism have been asked to comment about the reason for the change of location of the counterevent as well as other security matters. Both have not responded.
The Arlington Police Department Facebook page suggests that AFR has not been in touch with local police: “We would like to request that the organizer of the counter protest event scheduled for tomorrow 9/10, please contact us. Any organizers for this event, please reach out to Captain Flynn at 781-316-3907 in an effort to ensure safe organization of the counter-protest. We will try to reach the organizers directly as well. Thank you!”
Sept. 7, 2020: Manager notes ‘Back the Blue’ rally, but warns about supporting fringe group
This news summary was published Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, and updated Sept. 10.
