The New Hampshire Department of Justice is contesting a judge's decision to drop trespassing charges against members of a white nationalist group. The group, identified as NSC-131 (Nationalist Social Club), hung banners reading "Keep New England White" from a Portsmouth highway overpass in July of last year. The state attorney general's office contends that the display, motivated by racial bias, constituted trespassing on public property. The Anti-Defamation League classifies NSC-131 as a neo-Nazi organization originating in New England in 2019, promoting racism, antisemitism, and intolerance.
Rockingham County Judge David Ruoff dismissed the case earlier this month, asserting that the state's interpretation of the law was excessively broad and violated the group's free speech rights. However, state prosecutors filed an appeal on Friday, arguing that the judge misapplied the law. They maintain that while the public generally has the right to use public roads, parks, and sidewalks, this right does not extend to placing signs on highway overpasses.
