Terry Nelson, Former Councilmember, Demands Action From City Regarding Dick Murphy's Harassment Of LGBTQ Neighbors
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As Beacon’s Police Chief TOm Figlia looks on, Former Councilmember Terry Nelson demands action from the Mayor, City Administrator, and City Council to not let Dick Murphy’s harassment of the LGBTQ community go unpunished. Terry’s speech was from one year ago - July 24, 2024 - and the decades-long harassment continues.
Photo Credit: A Little Beacon Blog
In one of his strongest speeches yet at the July 24, 2024 City Council Meeting, former City Councilmember Terry Nelson decried the ongoing harassment by Richard (Dick) Murphy, who targets the LGBTQ community with grotesque, obsessive letters, both hand-written and typed out. As Beacon’s Police Chief Tom Figlia listened from behind him, Terry demanded action from the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council and friends and neighbors of Dick who know of his behavior.
Terry’s speech has been published in full below:
“While I applaud the flying of the pride flag at City Hall during Pride Month, the gesture runs the risk of being diminished if the continued harassment by this individual [Richard (Dick) Murphy] of the LGBTQ community and their allies goes unpunished. ”
“Over the past few years, a resident of Beacon [Richard (Dick) Murphy] has made it his mission to spread hate by leaving offensive letters at the homes of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. During my time on the council from 2018 to 2021, this individual would email these letters to me on a regular basis. Upon reporting the incidents to both the Beacon City Police Department and some of my colleagues, their response was to downplay the situation because he was only seeking attention and was advised to ignore him. Others told me ‘he’s an old man and it would look like we were picking on him.’ Apparently he’s not too old to hand deliver these flyers. My question is why was there so much concern for his feelings while the concerns of the members of the LGBTQ community and their allies were shoved aside?
“Recently, this person left another one of these letters on my doorstep as well many other people in my neighborhood. We can no longer turn a blind eye to this person’s heinous deeds. By not taking action, we give this person and those who share their mindset the green light to persistently engage in such behavior. Does he have help? I wouldn’t know because no one, to my knowledge, has looked into it.
“Being well known in a community should not excuse that person’s reprehensible behavior. This person has stated that it’s his first amendment right to distribute these letters. That sentiment only demonstrates an appalling ignorance of the law. Free speech does not make you immune to criticism. No one has the right to harass those they dislike or disagree with, especially if it infringes on the rights of others. They do not have the right to leave hateful, fact free screeds on people’s doorsteps. It pains me to say these things because I know members of his family and they are wonderful members of our community.
“While I applaud the flying of the pride flag at City Hall during Pride Month, the gesture runs the risk of being diminished if the continued harassment by this individual of the LGBTQ community and their allies goes unpunished. I’ve been where you are sitting, so I know the Council is limited in what they can do, but your loud and unwavering support is necessary now more than ever. Anyone who receives one of these letters, please keep them and report it to the Beacon City Police Department. Also, inform the mayor, the city administrator and the entire council as well as the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights.
“I have members of my family as well as close friends who are a part of the LGBTQ community. They deserve better. I’ll ask everyone in this room, ‘Would you want this to happen to you or your family?’ To paraphrase Justice Sonia Sotomayor, can our community survive the stench of benign neglect if one individual’s harassment of the LGBTQ community is ignored? To be continued. Thank you.”
Dick Murphy’s latest harassment campaign in July 2025 targeted a Beacon resident two weeks ago, who shared it with A Little Beacon Blog. Dick trespassed onto the person’s property, and signed the letter.
