Maine Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, announced today that he is submitting a resolve to the state Legislature stating that the people of Standish and Maine reject racism and threats of violence.

Representative-elect Mike Shaw, D-Standish, and Rep. John Robinson, R-Raymond will co-sponsor the resolve, according to Diamond's announcement.

Diamond's resolve will be taken up when the Legislature reconvenes in January. It's in response to racist incidents and threats toward President-elect Barack Obama in some towns and schools in Maine following the election.

One of the incidents occurred in Standish, a town in Diamond's senate district. The town's Oak Hill General Store had a sign greeting customers that asked for people to place bets on when Obama would be assassinated and said "let's hope someone wins."

Diamond said the people of Standish and Maine, which voted for Obama, "respect the fact that Barack Obama will be our first African-American president and are ready for his leadership. ... The people of Maine are ready to stand down any act of hate or violence whether it is intentional or unintentional."