The Multiracial Advocacy Blog-Hate Crime Update
Activists stage rally against hate crimes in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Community activists have rallied against hate crimes
after authorities accused four young white people of threatening a
biracial teenager on Memorial Day.
Meanwhile, police arrested a
fifth person and investigated spray-painted swastikas and racist
messages in a neighborhood where one suspect lives, the Eugene
Register-Guard reported Thursday.
At the gathering of about 50
people outside City Hall on Wednesday afternoon, Springfield City
Councilor Sheri Moore told the rally participants she has an adopted son
who is black, and her family has experienced discrimination. But, she
said, only a minority of local residents have racist attitudes.
“Springfield,
as you can see, is a community of caring people,” Moore said. “We
outnumber the others, and will work together to eliminate hate.”
That
came hours after police announced they had booked Brandon James Ricker,
19, on charges of attempted intimidation, hindering prosecution and
evidence tampering.
Police said they interviewed him while trying
to track down the other suspects and told him to keep quiet. Instead,
police said, he told 22-year-old Eugene resident Matthew Booster to flee
and then deleted a series of text messages that he and Booster had
exchanged.
Prosecutors later decided not to press the charges as
long as Ricker cooperates as a witness in the case, said Police Capt.
Rich Harrison.
Police said Booster was driving a yellow pickup
truck flying a Confederate flag on Memorial Day in downtown Springfield.
Booster and three teens inside yelled racial slurs and got out of the
truck to chase the 15-year-old, who had been walking and escaped by
hiding in bushes until his mother arrived, police said.
All four
were charged with intimidation. Prosecutors made Booster’s charge a
felony. The other three are to be prosecuted in juvenile court on
misdemeanor charges.
Harrison said investigators are still trying
to identify the people responsible for spray-painting swastikas and
racist messages throughout a neighborhood in which one of the suspects
resides. The graffiti was reported Sunday and Monday at several
locations.
After the rally, participants asked downtown business owners to post “Hate Free Zone” leaflets.
Marion
Malcolm, who coordinates a Community Alliance of Lane County program
called Springfield Alliance for Equality and Respect, commended police
and city officials for their response.
“They have stayed on the case,” Malcolm said.
Published Daily in Bend Oregon by Western Communications, Inc. © 2011
By The Associated Press
Published: June 08. 2012 4:00AM PST
