When Racists Attack

[Battle]

Friday, 26th April 2019

When Racists Attack: Clark County, Nevada

by David Ferrara

The second of two teens was sentenced Friday for his role in a series of racist threats made against black Arbor View High School students on Instagram.

“I’m so sorry for the fear and the trouble this has caused all of you,” the teen said during a Juvenile Court hearing.

“This is all because of my poor decision making, my bad judgment. And though my part in this was not the biggest, compared with my co-defendant, any part in something like this is too big of a part. And it sucks that it took me getting arrested to realize that.”

The 15-year-old boy, who pleaded guilty earlier this week to a felony charge of making a terrorist threat, was ordered to a diversion program at a juvenile facility, followed by 12 months of probation.

During his sentence, the teen is prohibited from using the internet and social media, except for supervised academic purposes.

The teen admitted to helping his 14-year-old co-defendant, the Instagram account creator, write photo captions that threatened to “cleanse” the school’s hallways of black students in a “Columbine pt. 2.”

The threats were posted with candid photos of nine black students, and the account’s username included a racist slur.

During the hearing before Judge William Voy on Friday, one of the targets of the Instagram posts wore a yellow T-shirt with the words “No Racism In Schools #1865.”

He said he had not known the boys who created the account.

He said he was at first confused about his picture having been taken.

Then, he said, “It dawned on me that someone wanted to shoot and kill us because we were black.”

About 15 people sat in the courtroom gallery in support of the victims, some wearing similar T-shirts, many wiping away tears as he spoke.

“I’ve heard of horrible things like this happening to other people, but I never thought it would happen to me,” he said, with his mother at his side.

“How do you hate someone because they look different than you? How do you hate someone you don’t know that has never done anything wrong or bad to you? … I like being a teenager, and somehow I’m pushed into adult things. I’m glad it was just a phone that was aimed at my head and not a weapon.”

The teen who was charged also dabbed his eyes with a tissue as he sat in an orange sweatshirt and blue sweatpants next to his lawyer.

He has remained in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center since his March 19 arrest.

The amount of time he spends in the diversion program will depend on the customized program created for him by Clark County Juvenile Probation.

Voy also said the teen would not be allowed to re-enroll in the Clark County School District without the court’s permission, and he instructed the teen to write apology letters to all nine students whose photos were posted to the account and to the school at large.
















Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.reviewjournal.com/crime/courts/second-las-vegas-teen-sentenced-for-threatening-black-students-1650568/

[Battle]

Wednesday, 15th May 2019

When Racists Attack: Multnomah County, Oregon

by Soraya Joseph

A Gresham, Oregon man by the name of Michael James Black was arrested May 11 and is being investigated for a hate crime after allegedly yelling racial slurs at a Black teenage boy.

According to documents obtained by Oregon Live,  the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office is charging Black, 64, with second-degree intimidation and menacing.

It’s alleged that on May 10, the 14-year-old victim (who remains unnamed in publications due to his minor status), was threatened by the older man while he was riding his bicycle near Black’s residence.

According to Gresham Police spokesman Ben Costigan, the teen was riding his bike around 9:30pm, not far from Black’s house on Northeast Glisan Street.

The young victim said he was riding his bicycle in circles, when Black proceeded to yell at him.

“He called him a racial slur, and said he was going to blow his head off,” Costigan states.

According to a probable cause statement released by the district attorney’s office, the teen was riding his bike home with friends after basketball practice.

Although the teen was traveling on bike, his friends were on foot, which he claims is the reason why he occasionally rode in circles allowing his teammates a chance to catch up to him.

The teens were walking in a cul-de-sac that they presumed was a public space.

That’s when the young man alleges that Black, who is white, yelled at the teen from about 30-40 feet away, that the area is private property, followed up by racial slurs and threats.

Fearful that Black would make good on his threats, the teen told officials he got scared, so he rode home where his mother later alerted police of the issue.

Black’s subsequent statement to officials varies somewhat.

According to t Oregon Live, Black told the police that the teen went on to his property and engaged in a yelling match and “flipped” him off.”

Black also said that he thought the teen had a knife, but admitted he is vision impaired.

It was also revealed that Black has been arrested before, but for crimes not associated with this scenario.

While the stories between Black and the unnamed teen vary, he does admit to using racially-charged language during the exchange.

We can only imagine what words he used to describe the teen during this encounter.

NI___R!!!

Would You Like To Know More?
https://thegrio.com/2019/05/15/oregon-man-racial-slurs-hate-crime/

[Battle]

Wednesday, 29th May 2019

When Racists Attack: Starkville, Mississippi

by Dan Cancian

A white woman who threatened a black couple at a campground in Mississippi with a gun because they did not have a reservation has been fired.

On Tuesday, Kampgrounds of America spokesman Mike Gast told The Associated Press that the unidentified employee had been fired, adding the company “does not condone the use of a firearm in any manner.”

On Sunday, Jessica Richardson and her husband were trying to enjoy a picnic with their dog by Oktibbeha County Lake, located approximately 12 miles northwest of Starkville, Mississippi.

When the couple arrived at the nearby Kampgrounds of America they reportedly asked at the reception whether they needed to stay at the campsite to spend the day by the nearby lake and were told access to the latter was not exclusive to guests.

However, soon after they started walking, Richardson and her husband were approached by an elderly white female, who pulled her truck up next to them.

The woman then got off her vehicle and took out a gun.

She ordered the couple to leave the campsite after learning they did not have a reservation.

The whole incident was captured on camera by Richardson, who then posted the footage on Facebook with the caption “racism is alive and well.”

In the video, Richardson can be heard saying:

“This lady just pulled a gun because we [are] out here and don't have reservations.

“The only thing you had to tell us was to leave, we would have left. You didn't have to pull a gun."

The woman, who was wearing a Kampgrounds of America T-shirt, can then be heard telling the couple they have to leave the campsite as they are not allowed on the premises.

“Well I'm just telling you you need to leave because it's under private ownership,” she said before eventually putting the gun away.

“You can't be out here.”

Shortly after the video was posted on Fakebook, Kampgrounds of America confirmed they had been made aware of the incident and were investigating it.


“Kampgrounds of America is currently looking into the matter and reaching out to all of the parties involved,” it said in a statement.

“Kampgrounds of America prides itself on providing a welcoming, safe environment for everyone to enjoy the outdoors.”
 
According to its website, Kampgrounds of America is the world’s largest system of privately held campgrounds and the company operates almost 500 different sites across the U.S. and Canada.






Would You Like to Know More?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/white-woman-with-a-gun-tells-black-couple-to-leave-mississippi-campground/ar-AAC4Loj?ocid=spartanntp

[Battle]

Saturday, 6th July 2019

When Racists Attack: Peoria, Arizona

by Michael Harriot

Arizona law enforcement officials arrested a man who allegedly killed an innocent teenager in a brutal stabbing early Thursday morning.

Although the teen didn’t know the suspect or apparently do anything to his alleged killer, authorities say the man committed the fatal act simply because he felt threatened by the music the teen was playing.

On Thursday, police in Peoria, Ariz. charged 27-year-old Michael Paul Adams with the first-degree, premeditated murder of 17-year-old Elijah Al-Amin.

According to the Arizona Republic’s review of court documents, Adams allegedly slit the boy’s throat and stabbed him with a pocketknife at a Peoria Circle K gas station.

Superior court records say Adams told investigators that he felt threatened by the hip-hop music the teen was playing—not the teenager himself—explaining that people who play rap music are a threat to him and his community.

Adams reportedly said he was being “proactive, not reactive” because the musical genre makes him feel “unsafe” after rap music listeners attacked him in the past.

Al-Amin had just finished working his shift at Subway at 11:30 p.m., visiting his girlfriend before heading to the Circle K around 1:42 a.m. Surveillance footage from the convenience store shows Al-Amin walking into the store, followed by Adams a few seconds later, reports the Republic.

After Adam allegedly stabbed the teenager, Al-Amin ran out of the store where he collapsed near the gas tanks.

He was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead around 2:05 a.m. on Thursday, authorities say.

After a brief search, the cops claim they found Adams covered in blood and reportedly admitting he was “involved” in the heinous slaying.

Adams, whose criminal history includes theft, disorderly conduct, assault with a weapon and assault on a corrections officer, was released from prison on Tuesday.

Adams’ attorney says that he had no access to mental health services after he was released although a statement from an Arizona Department of Corrections spokesperson says that Adams was “not designated seriously mentally ill.”

“He was a good kid,” El Amin’s father told KVOA in a tearful interview.

“He wanted to be hotel management, he wanted to move to Seattle, he wanted to move different places.”

Michael Paul Adams is being held on a $1 million bond.

Elijah Al-Amin would have turned 18 in two weeks.








Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.theroot.com/police-white-man-reportedly-killed-teenager-because-te-1836150008

[Battle]

Monday, 12th August 2019

When Racists Attack: El Paso, Texas

by Vanessa Romo

The gunman accused of the shooting massacre that left 22 people dead at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart on Saturday was in his car — nearly a mile away from the horrific scene — when he surrendered to Texas Rangers, according to an arrest affidavit.

"Agents and police officers at the intersection then observed a male person — the defendant — exit out of the vehicle with his hands raised in the air and stated out loud to the agents, 'I'm the shooter,' " the document states.
 
It appears the alleged shooter somehow evaded El Paso Police Department officers who arrived at the store about six minutes after receiving calls about a disturbance at the popular shopping center, which then became calls about a shooting in progress.

Sgt. Enrique Carrillo told NPR 21-year-old Patrick Wood Crusius was in the left hand lane of an intersection when rangers pulled up behind him.

"He had driven up to that intersection, but when the officer saw him he had already exited the car," Carrillo said.

The suspect was arrested and transported to the El Paso Police Department's headquarters, where police say he waived his Miranda rights and agreed "to speak about the incident."

During questioning, police say, the alleged shooter confessed that he planned the rampage and drove nearly 10 hours from Allen, Texas, to the border city with the intention of targeting "Mexicans."

Authorities believe Crusius is the author of a 2,300-word anti-immigrant screed that was posted to the online message board 8chan just 19 minutes before the mass shooting.

The four-page document talked about a "Hispanic invasion of Texas."
 
"The defendant stated once inside the store he opened fire using his AK-47 shooting multiple innocent victims," the affidavit says, adding that he was carrying "multiple magazines."

The 22 victims ranged in age from 15 to 90.

Thirteen are listed as U.S. citizens; eight are Mexican nationals.

One is German.

Crusius has been in police custody since his arrest but has not been arraigned.

Claudia Duran, a spokeswoman for the El Paso County district attorney, said that won't happen until the investigation by El Paso police and the FBI concludes.

State prosecutors in El Paso announced on Sunday that they will pursue the death penalty.








Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.npr.org/2019/08/09/749954115/el-paso-alleged-gunman-admitted-i-m-the-shooter-police-say

[Battle]

Thursday, 29th August 2019

When Racists Attack: Las Vegas, Nevada

by Joyce Lupiani

(LAS VEGAS, NV) — Braxton Ryback, 25, and Johnny Young, 22, were recently arrested by Las Vegas police after threatening to shoot up the XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas.

The incident happened Aug. 10. Police were told that Ryback and Young were shouting "White privilege, white power, we are white supremacist" and locking their fists like they were going to hit people.

Police were also told that the men told security that they were going to come back and shoot the place up.

Young then allegedly returned to the hotel-casino with pepper spray.

During an interview with police, Young told police that he had a weapon in his vehicle at the Wynn and another weapon in his apartment.

He also told police that Ryback spent time on a website called "Daily Stormer" and that he shared Ryback's beliefs.

Young also told police that he was drunk and angry at security because they had stopped him from taking photos of security cameras but he never had any intention of hurting someone.

He said he intended to only use the pepper spray for protection if needed.

Young also explained that Ryback was from Canada and that he ran an illegal AirBnB and Young and his girlfriend were staying with him.
 
Ryback told people that he did not remember what he said and did not recall making any threats and did not want to talk to detectives.

Police removed several items in Young's and Ryback's apartment including a loaded Cobra handgun, ammunition, a global entry ID and Belgium ID, a Nevada driver's license, a Macbook Pro, an iPhone and a Samsung phone.
 
Police also removed a pellet gun and hard drive from Young's car at the Wynn.
 
Based on numerous witness statements and the fact that Young specifically stated he would return with a gun, both people are being charged with making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism or the presence with the intent to injure, intimidate or alarm any person.




















Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.ktnv.com/news/crime/2-men-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-to-shoot-up-wynn-las-vegas-nightclub

[Battle]

Tuesday, 22nd October 2019

When Racists Attack: Manhattan, New York

by Rebecca Rosenberg

A Manhattan judge Tuesday sentenced two members of the right-wing Proud Boys group to four years in prison for pummeling leftist Antifa members during a brawl on the Upper East Side.

Justice Mark Dwyer gave Maxwell Hare, 27,  and John Kinsman, 40, terms that were six months above the minimum for the caught-on-camera skirmish near the Metropolitan Republican Club after Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes delivered a speech.

Both defendants faced as much as 15 years.

They were convicted last August at trial of attempted gang assault, attempted assault and riot stemming from the Oct. 12, 2018, melee.

“It’s a shame when some people jump up and down on a platform,” Dwyer said in an apparent reference to McInnes, “and their followers, their soldiers, get into trouble.”

He added, “I’m not sure the most moral responsibility belongs to these two defendants.”

Both Kinsman and Hare apologized for their conduct during the Manhattan Supreme Court sentencing.

“I’m sorry about the whole mess. I regret the entire incident,” said Kinsman, who is married with three children.

“I made a mistake.”

In a similar statement, Hare told the judge,

“I made a mistake that night. I made quick decisions. I’m sorry.”

They both testified at trial that they acted in self-defense.

Assistant DA Joshua Steinglass argued for five-year prison terms.

“This was not a schoolyard brawl,” the prosecutor said.

“These are adults who should know better.”

The fight unfolded shortly after McInnes’ speech ended and the Proud Boys exited the venue, as 60 protesters, including members of Antifa, massed behind barricades and jeered at them.

To avoid a confrontation, cops directed the Proud Boys west on 83rd Street, then south on Park Avenue, while they shepherded their opponents in the other direction.

As the Proud Boys neared East 82nd Street, they saw six suspected Antifa protesters, clad in back, heading toward them.

Instead of walking away, the defendants and their pals sprinted more than 100 feet toward their foes, instigating the fight, Steinglass said.

During the violent confrontation, Kinsman and Hare repeatedly punched, kicked and stomped on the outnumbered and undersize Antifa members.

The victims in the case were never identified, and Antifa refused to cooperate with the investigation.
 
Prosecutors said that if they could have located the Antifa members, they would have also been charged.

A total of 10 Proud Boys were charged in connection with the incident.

Seven of them took plea deals, and one is still awaiting trial.

“I know enough about history to know what happened in Europe in the ’30s when political street brawls were allowed to go ahead,” Dwyer said during the sentencing.

“We don’t want that to happen in New York.”

Would You Like To Know More?
https://nypost.com/2019/10/22/proud-boys-members-get-prison-for-brawl-with-antifa-protesters/

[Battle]

Tuesday, 10th December 2019

WHEN RACISTS ATTACK: Prince George, Maryland

by Lilly Price

A hundred potential jurors convened Monday at Prince George’s County Circuit Court to field questions on race, bias and alcohol abuse that will help lawyers select a jury for the Severna Park man charged with the murder of a black college student and a hate crime.

Once assembled, the jury will hear about the death of Richard Collins III, a Bowie State University student and second lieutenant in the Army who was stabbed to death just days away from graduating.

Sean Urbanski, a white, former University of Maryland student, is charged with first-degree murder and a hate crime in Collins’ May 2017 death.

After four postponed trial dates, Urbanski’s case started Monday with a jury selection process projected to last two days.

Collins’ family filled a row behind potential jurors during the court proceedings in Upper Marlboro.

Collins was 23 when he died.

Prosecutors and Urbanski’s defense lawyers will decide over the next two days which jurors to select for the jury.

The hate-crime charge will make race a core component of this trial.

Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Hill Jr. asked potential jurors several questions regarding race, such as:

“Do you believe individuals that tell or show ‘racially insensitive’ jokes or memes are racist?”

and

“Do you believe individuals can listen to jokes that are ‘racially insensitive’ and not be racist?”

Collins was standing at a University of Maryland bus stop with friends the night of May 20, 2017, when Urbanski approached the group and warned:

“Step left, step left if you know what’s best for you."

Collins said “No” and Urbanski allegedly fatally stabbed him with a folding knife, according to court documents and surveillance video.

Urbanski, 24, has pleaded not guilty.

Urbanski wore a navy suit and sat huddled with his lawyers Monday morning. He belonged to a Facebook page called “Alt-Reich: Nation” and had several racist images, often called memes, saved on his phone.

His defense attorneys tried to bar these images from being used as evidence in the trial, calling them “stupid and tasteless,” but Hill ruled against the motion in a previous hearing.

Prosecutors plan to argue the Facebook group, the images and Urbanski’s decision to bypass the white friend and Asian friend with Collins that night are evidence that he killed Collins because he was black.

Defense attorneys plan to argue that Urbanski did not plan the attack and was highly intoxicated at the time with a blood-alcohol level three times above the legal limit.

His lawyers also will contend that speech must be connected to a crime to be cited as evidence of motive, and Urbanski didn’t say anything discriminatory during the attack.

The judge also asked members of the jury pool if they or someone they know have problems with alcohol abuse and or if that would affect their ability to be a fair and impartial juror.

He asked potential jurors if they know someone who often carries a pocketknife.

Once the jury is selected, it will hear accounts from over 30 witnesses and arguments from both sides over the next two weeks.

The jury ultimately will decide if Urbanski is guilty of murder and if there is a connection between the racist images found on Urbanski’s phone and the killing.

Would You Like To Know More?
https://www.capitalgazette.com/news/ac-cn-urbanski-trial-jury-selection-20191209-6zn2vmuhhfay7ilykpd4ayyvim-story.html

https://www.newstribune.com/news/national/story/2019/dec/09/jury-to-decide-if-college-students-killing-was-hate-crime/807510/