BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Hispanic business owners in Belchertown say someone left a racist and threatening letter on their front door after during their first week in town. Now, they’re sharing their story.

Western Mass News has an exclusive interview with the owners, as they explain why they want their story to be told.

Zulimar Despiau, Co-owner, Gil’s Auto Repair & Performance Inc. shares their story with us, saying, “I want this person to know that... They’re not gonna get away with this... And I want to make an example of this person.”

They signed the lease in November, moving their 20-year-old auto-shop from Amherst to Belchertown. During their first week of business at their new location, Gil’s Auto Repair; workers found the letter below on their front door.

“I was sad and angry...And...He was...He was just...Speechless,” Zulimar tells us about the moment they read the letter.

It took owners Zulimar Despiau and Gilberto Rivas hours to process the hateful words asking them to leave the town, “...Because I didn’t think anyone could feel that way.”

They say that the worst part of the message was the way it was signed, “...And then I [saw the] White Superior... And that... I was livid... I was livid.”

Despiau was born in Puerto Rico and Rivas in the Dominican Republic, but they’ve spent almost their entire lives here in western Mass. Until this weekend, they’ve never experienced discrimination like this.

“This can’t be our country. This is not Western Mass...If you look at the Belchertown Forum, the love and support that we’ve gotten from outside our race, it makes me emotional.”

Despite the emotions the couple is experiencing, they want the person responsible to know one thing, “...we’re here to stay... You’re not gonna do this to [anybody] else... And if you thought we were gonna stay quiet... We’re not.”

The Belchertown Police have obtained security footage and are telling us here at Western Mass News they are actively investigating the incident.

Now, Despiau wants to share their story to show that acts like this are not ok: “And let it be the last time... You write something... Hateful.”

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