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10-01-2007, 01:56 PM
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Grambling president orders 'hanging photo' from Jena Six protest off student newspaper Website
Link to Article:
http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/UPDATES01/70928063
A recent incident at the elementary school on the Grambling State University campus that resulted in a noose hanging around a small child’s neck has left university officials scrambling for answers.
Grambling State University President Horace Judson was driving to Dallas on Friday afternoon for the Saturday football game between GSU and Prairie View when his secretary called him, describing certain pictures that had been posted online by the student newspaper, The Gramblinite.
Among the photos immediately ordered taken down by Judson was one of a young girl in a school uniform, a noose around her neck, being hoisted by a woman who may have been a family member.
In the photo, the girl, a student at Alma J. Brown Elementary School at Grambling, appears confused and frightened. GSU oversees the school. The child apparently was taking part in a school lesson related to events surrounding the Jena Six, criminal defendants in that Louisiana town who stand accused of beating a fellow student into unconsciousness. Their arrests on adult charges have spawned organized protests by black leaders and national attention.
“At this point I’m starting a full investigation into what happened,” Judson said in a phone interview from his car while en route to Dallas. “I will meet with all the people involved at 8 o’clock Monday morning.”
The Gramblinite staff leaders could not be reached for comment on the incident.
According to an article in the newspaper written by Justin LaGrande, posted on the student newspaper Web site some time this week, and sent to The News-Star by Ruston Daily Leader publisher Rick Hohlt, “kindergarten and first-grade students at Alma J. Brown Elementary will always remember the day they marched for equality. The children marched in protest of the imprisonment of Mychal Bell, and the seemingly racial bias shown toward blacks in a small Louisiana town.”
LaGrande wrote that while the students “marched,” they actually only circled their playground with their teachers during the event.
“Before marching, the students were taught about racism,” LeGrande wrote. “They also learned about the events surrounding the ‘Jena Six’ and their arrest.”
According to the article, teachers “had a replica noose and explained why it is such a symbol of racism. They also allowed the children to carry chains and shackles.”
The Gramblinite’s Web site Friday included a comment from a woman who identified herself as Irene Booker. She said in her posted comment, “Yes, it was a rope around the little girl’s neck. It was a (safe) demonstration as to what the rope symbolized to blacks. This was my granddaughter and she along with so many of the other students did not understand the intimidation of the noose. I held her in my arms and she knows that I would not harm her or put her life in danger. In order to understand racism one must experience it to make the connection.”
Judson said Sean Warner, dean of the College of Education, has spoken with the principal of the elementary school about the incident.
“This is very serious. I will say that,” Judson said. “I’ll have a face-to-face meeting with everyone involved. We’re going to find out what the facts are. At this point I don’t know if my students were involved.
“These are minors at our school and this is a student paper that still must practice complete accountability,” he said.
Given the nature of the situation, Judson said, “it was certainly my judgment to take those pictures down.”
Noose discovered in Hempstead police locker room
Link to Article:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-lihemp295395184sep29,0,1360252.story
A noose was found hanging Friday morning in the men's locker room in the basement of the Hempstead Village police department, village police Chief Joseph Wing said.
Wing said he immediately summoned Nassau police detectives and requested a forensic team as well as internal affairs investigators to the scene. Wing said he also notified the district attorney's office.
"It's my intent if the evidence bears out to press for criminal and administrative departmental charges, which could lead to dismissal," said Wing, who is of Asian and Italian descent. "I find this action horrific and intolerable."
Black law enforcement officials expressed shock.
"It's astonishing to hear something like this is happening in Nassau County in 2007, especially in Hempstead Village where half the police force is African-American," said John Nedd, president of the Nassau County Guardian Association, a fraternal organization of black police officers.
Continuing a 12-year effort to increase its numbers of blacks, Hispanics and other minorities and women, the Nassau County Police Department conducted a major effort to recruit members of those groups for a police exam last month.
The minority recruitment effort follows the U.S. Justice Department's first lawsuit against the county in 1977 for discriminating against minorities. The numbers for those groups from 30 years ago were not immediately available, but significant gains have been made for minorities over the past dozen years, officials said.
Wing, who has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and became chief of the Hempstead department in April, said his department joined the county's recruitment drive and had a banner outside the village headquarters during the recruitment effort.
He said the racial breakdown of the village force of 107 officers, including about 12 women, is about 50 percent whites and 50 percent minorities - mostly blacks with about 10 Hispanics.
White men beat 17 year old black teen
Link to Article:
http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/09/27/white-men-beat-black-teen/
Police say racial slur led to fight; one arrested
ELYRIA — A 17-year-old black teenager was beaten up after being called a racial slur by two white men Friday evening, police say.
The incident, which forced Travis Noble to undergo surgery to repair his damaged jaw, is being watched by a national civil rights organization after it received several calls about it.
Police said they found Travis beaten, bloodied and sitting slumped in a lawn chair at a home on the 400 block of Metcalf Road about 11:45 p.m. Friday when they responded to the area after receiving a call about a disturbance.
Travis, who was barely conscious, could hardly tell police what happened to him, but it was later learned he was assaulted while visiting three friends.
Travis was taken to EMH Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to repair jaw fractures on both sides of his face. He also sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face and head. He was released Monday evening after doctors wired his mouth shut, the police report said.
Daniel Noble, Travis’ father, said his son is in constant pain and eats all of his meals through a hospital-issued syringe. Daniel said doctors have said Travis will be out of school for one to three weeks. He likely will not return to the football field to play middle linebacker for Elyria High School this season and basketball looks questionable, too.
“I wouldn’t want this to happen to nobody’s kid,” Daniel Noble said. “And what makes it worse is it all started with my son being called a (racial slur). We all know there are things out in the world like racism, but you never think it will attack you in your home until it happens. I hate that it happened to my son.”
On Wednesday morning, police charged James F. Machovina, 21, of North Pasadena Avenue, Elyria, with felonious assault in connection with the beating. Machovina appeared in Elyria Municipal Court later in the day, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the second-degree felony charge and was released on a $15,000 bond.
Police Lt. Andy Eichenlaub said a warrant charging felonious assault also was issued for an 18-year-old man, who police say started the incident by yelling out the racial slur. He had not been arrested as of Wednesday, Eichenlaub said.
While the use of the racial epithet may have instigated the fight, Eichenlaub said police could not charge it as a hate crime because it does not fit the legal definition. To pursue hate crime charges, there has to be proof that the motive of the fight was based solely on Travis’ race.
“It is true a derogatory name was called prior to the fight, but the victim, after hearing it, chased after the suspects. That’s when the fight started. Because of that, it’s hard to determine what the motive was,” Eichenlaub said.
Still, the incident has been brought to the attention of the National Action Network, the national civil rights organization headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton. The National Action Network has been making headlines for its involvement with a situation in Jena, La., involving six black teens — dubbed the Jena 6 — who are accused of beating a white teen.
Richard Jones, president of the Cleveland chapter of the National Action Network, said he has fielded several calls about the incident and has sent word to the national chapter.
He has not heard back from Sharpton or anyone from the organization’s New York headquarters, but said he would intervene if instructed to do so. Travis’ family has not contacted the organization.
Daniel Noble said the incident happened after the Elyria High football team lost Friday night. Travis and a friend wanted to shake off the loss, so they headed over to Travis’ girlfriend house on Metcalf Road. Witnesses told police that a white man riding a bicycle on the street with two friends yelled out a derogatory term as they passed Travis.
Several witnesses said they heard someone yell, “Hey, looks like we have a (racial slur) in our neighborhood,” the report said. Upon hearing the word, Travis took off running after the men on the bicycles. Words were exchanged and as Travis turned to walk away, he was hit in the back of the head, the report said.
He was punched repeatedly, put into a chokehold and, as he bent over after being released, was kicked in the face, police said. The kick knocked Travis out cold, the report said.
Travis’ friends tried to break up the fight and also were hit by the suspects, police said. No other charges were filed.
Daniel Noble said his son has never had to face racism before, and now the pain he feels extends beyond his physical injuries. The family wants justice and will be watching closely in the next few months as the case against the suspects moves through the court system.
“When you’re minding your own business and someone calls you a (racial slur) before beating you, how is that not considered a hate crime? When is this going to stop?” Daniel Noble asked. “People have to get together and solve this problem."
Student ties Noose to Rearview Mirror
Link to Article:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/578689,5_1_WA28_NOOSES_S1.article
GURNEE -- A high school student accused of bringing nooses to school has been arrested by police for "disrupting and alarming" other students.
Curtis Hiett, 17, of the 900 block of Charles Avenue was charged late Thursday with disorderly conduct. Earlier this week, he allegedly drove into a parking lot at Warren Township High School's Almond Road Campus with a Confederate flag and three nooses hanging from his vehicle.
Gurnee police were not made aware of the incident until Thursday morning, Dep. Chief Kevin Woodside said.
Woodside would not comment on specifics about the case, saying only that his department reviewed charges with the Lake County state's attorney's office.
"We want to ensure that nobody in the school is in danger and that the students are safe," Woodside said.
In announcing the arrest, Woodside said an investigation "revealed that behavior and a racially-charged statement made by a single student caused a disruption within the school."
School officials would not comment on specifics of the incident. In a statement, administrators said they are familiar with what happened and have turned over the investigation to police.
"Since it is an ongoing investigation by the Police Department, district officials will not comment until the investigation is complete," the statement read.
The incident flew under the radar much of the week until the mother of a Warren junior, who was offended by the incident, contacted the school, police and local media.
The Park City woman, who requested that her name not be published to protect the identify of her daughter, said she was shocked to see such racism in Gurnee.
"It does make me uneasy and it makes my daughter uncomfortable," the woman said. "It's a sad case."
One of the witnesses to the incident contacted state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, who said the incident was inexcusable, particularly considering events in Jena, La.
Washington said one of his legislative aides is closely monitoring how the high school and Gurnee police handle the incident. Because racial matters are so sensitive, Washington said he wants to make sure the students at the school understand how serious Hiett's alleged actions are.
"(Students) know what a (noose) means," Washington said. "A picture of a hanging noose is very offensive. It's the same (to blacks) as a swastika is to the Jewish community."
Last December, six teenagers in Jena, La., were arrested after beating up a white student. That incident was apparently sparked by a series of racially-charged incidents that began when nooses were hung under a tree at Jena High School. No action was taken against the teens thought to have hung the nooses. Last week, Jena became the center of national attention when thousands marched in support of the six teenagers.
Hiett's charge is a misdemeanor. Attempts to reach the Hiett home were unsuccessful Thursday evening. Additional information about his arrest is expected today.
Grambling president orders 'hanging photo' from Jena Six protest off student newspaper Website
Link to Article:
http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070928/UPDATES01/70928063
A recent incident at the elementary school on the Grambling State University campus that resulted in a noose hanging around a small child’s neck has left university officials scrambling for answers.
Grambling State University President Horace Judson was driving to Dallas on Friday afternoon for the Saturday football game between GSU and Prairie View when his secretary called him, describing certain pictures that had been posted online by the student newspaper, The Gramblinite.
Among the photos immediately ordered taken down by Judson was one of a young girl in a school uniform, a noose around her neck, being hoisted by a woman who may have been a family member.
In the photo, the girl, a student at Alma J. Brown Elementary School at Grambling, appears confused and frightened. GSU oversees the school. The child apparently was taking part in a school lesson related to events surrounding the Jena Six, criminal defendants in that Louisiana town who stand accused of beating a fellow student into unconsciousness. Their arrests on adult charges have spawned organized protests by black leaders and national attention.
“At this point I’m starting a full investigation into what happened,” Judson said in a phone interview from his car while en route to Dallas. “I will meet with all the people involved at 8 o’clock Monday morning.”
The Gramblinite staff leaders could not be reached for comment on the incident.
According to an article in the newspaper written by Justin LaGrande, posted on the student newspaper Web site some time this week, and sent to The News-Star by Ruston Daily Leader publisher Rick Hohlt, “kindergarten and first-grade students at Alma J. Brown Elementary will always remember the day they marched for equality. The children marched in protest of the imprisonment of Mychal Bell, and the seemingly racial bias shown toward blacks in a small Louisiana town.”
LaGrande wrote that while the students “marched,” they actually only circled their playground with their teachers during the event.
“Before marching, the students were taught about racism,” LeGrande wrote. “They also learned about the events surrounding the ‘Jena Six’ and their arrest.”
According to the article, teachers “had a replica noose and explained why it is such a symbol of racism. They also allowed the children to carry chains and shackles.”
The Gramblinite’s Web site Friday included a comment from a woman who identified herself as Irene Booker. She said in her posted comment, “Yes, it was a rope around the little girl’s neck. It was a (safe) demonstration as to what the rope symbolized to blacks. This was my granddaughter and she along with so many of the other students did not understand the intimidation of the noose. I held her in my arms and she knows that I would not harm her or put her life in danger. In order to understand racism one must experience it to make the connection.”
Judson said Sean Warner, dean of the College of Education, has spoken with the principal of the elementary school about the incident.
“This is very serious. I will say that,” Judson said. “I’ll have a face-to-face meeting with everyone involved. We’re going to find out what the facts are. At this point I don’t know if my students were involved.
“These are minors at our school and this is a student paper that still must practice complete accountability,” he said.
Given the nature of the situation, Judson said, “it was certainly my judgment to take those pictures down.”
Noose discovered in Hempstead police locker room
Link to Article:
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-lihemp295395184sep29,0,1360252.story
A noose was found hanging Friday morning in the men's locker room in the basement of the Hempstead Village police department, village police Chief Joseph Wing said.
Wing said he immediately summoned Nassau police detectives and requested a forensic team as well as internal affairs investigators to the scene. Wing said he also notified the district attorney's office.
"It's my intent if the evidence bears out to press for criminal and administrative departmental charges, which could lead to dismissal," said Wing, who is of Asian and Italian descent. "I find this action horrific and intolerable."
Black law enforcement officials expressed shock.
"It's astonishing to hear something like this is happening in Nassau County in 2007, especially in Hempstead Village where half the police force is African-American," said John Nedd, president of the Nassau County Guardian Association, a fraternal organization of black police officers.
Continuing a 12-year effort to increase its numbers of blacks, Hispanics and other minorities and women, the Nassau County Police Department conducted a major effort to recruit members of those groups for a police exam last month.
The minority recruitment effort follows the U.S. Justice Department's first lawsuit against the county in 1977 for discriminating against minorities. The numbers for those groups from 30 years ago were not immediately available, but significant gains have been made for minorities over the past dozen years, officials said.
Wing, who has been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and became chief of the Hempstead department in April, said his department joined the county's recruitment drive and had a banner outside the village headquarters during the recruitment effort.
He said the racial breakdown of the village force of 107 officers, including about 12 women, is about 50 percent whites and 50 percent minorities - mostly blacks with about 10 Hispanics.
White men beat 17 year old black teen
Link to Article:
http://www.chroniclet.com/2007/09/27/white-men-beat-black-teen/
Police say racial slur led to fight; one arrested
ELYRIA — A 17-year-old black teenager was beaten up after being called a racial slur by two white men Friday evening, police say.
The incident, which forced Travis Noble to undergo surgery to repair his damaged jaw, is being watched by a national civil rights organization after it received several calls about it.
Police said they found Travis beaten, bloodied and sitting slumped in a lawn chair at a home on the 400 block of Metcalf Road about 11:45 p.m. Friday when they responded to the area after receiving a call about a disturbance.
Travis, who was barely conscious, could hardly tell police what happened to him, but it was later learned he was assaulted while visiting three friends.
Travis was taken to EMH Regional Medical Center, where he underwent surgery to repair jaw fractures on both sides of his face. He also sustained multiple cuts and bruises to his face and head. He was released Monday evening after doctors wired his mouth shut, the police report said.
Daniel Noble, Travis’ father, said his son is in constant pain and eats all of his meals through a hospital-issued syringe. Daniel said doctors have said Travis will be out of school for one to three weeks. He likely will not return to the football field to play middle linebacker for Elyria High School this season and basketball looks questionable, too.
“I wouldn’t want this to happen to nobody’s kid,” Daniel Noble said. “And what makes it worse is it all started with my son being called a (racial slur). We all know there are things out in the world like racism, but you never think it will attack you in your home until it happens. I hate that it happened to my son.”
On Wednesday morning, police charged James F. Machovina, 21, of North Pasadena Avenue, Elyria, with felonious assault in connection with the beating. Machovina appeared in Elyria Municipal Court later in the day, where he entered a plea of not guilty to the second-degree felony charge and was released on a $15,000 bond.
Police Lt. Andy Eichenlaub said a warrant charging felonious assault also was issued for an 18-year-old man, who police say started the incident by yelling out the racial slur. He had not been arrested as of Wednesday, Eichenlaub said.
While the use of the racial epithet may have instigated the fight, Eichenlaub said police could not charge it as a hate crime because it does not fit the legal definition. To pursue hate crime charges, there has to be proof that the motive of the fight was based solely on Travis’ race.
“It is true a derogatory name was called prior to the fight, but the victim, after hearing it, chased after the suspects. That’s when the fight started. Because of that, it’s hard to determine what the motive was,” Eichenlaub said.
Still, the incident has been brought to the attention of the National Action Network, the national civil rights organization headed by the Rev. Al Sharpton. The National Action Network has been making headlines for its involvement with a situation in Jena, La., involving six black teens — dubbed the Jena 6 — who are accused of beating a white teen.
Richard Jones, president of the Cleveland chapter of the National Action Network, said he has fielded several calls about the incident and has sent word to the national chapter.
He has not heard back from Sharpton or anyone from the organization’s New York headquarters, but said he would intervene if instructed to do so. Travis’ family has not contacted the organization.
Daniel Noble said the incident happened after the Elyria High football team lost Friday night. Travis and a friend wanted to shake off the loss, so they headed over to Travis’ girlfriend house on Metcalf Road. Witnesses told police that a white man riding a bicycle on the street with two friends yelled out a derogatory term as they passed Travis.
Several witnesses said they heard someone yell, “Hey, looks like we have a (racial slur) in our neighborhood,” the report said. Upon hearing the word, Travis took off running after the men on the bicycles. Words were exchanged and as Travis turned to walk away, he was hit in the back of the head, the report said.
He was punched repeatedly, put into a chokehold and, as he bent over after being released, was kicked in the face, police said. The kick knocked Travis out cold, the report said.
Travis’ friends tried to break up the fight and also were hit by the suspects, police said. No other charges were filed.
Daniel Noble said his son has never had to face racism before, and now the pain he feels extends beyond his physical injuries. The family wants justice and will be watching closely in the next few months as the case against the suspects moves through the court system.
“When you’re minding your own business and someone calls you a (racial slur) before beating you, how is that not considered a hate crime? When is this going to stop?” Daniel Noble asked. “People have to get together and solve this problem."
Student ties Noose to Rearview Mirror
Link to Article:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/578689,5_1_WA28_NOOSES_S1.article
GURNEE -- A high school student accused of bringing nooses to school has been arrested by police for "disrupting and alarming" other students.
Curtis Hiett, 17, of the 900 block of Charles Avenue was charged late Thursday with disorderly conduct. Earlier this week, he allegedly drove into a parking lot at Warren Township High School's Almond Road Campus with a Confederate flag and three nooses hanging from his vehicle.
Gurnee police were not made aware of the incident until Thursday morning, Dep. Chief Kevin Woodside said.
Woodside would not comment on specifics about the case, saying only that his department reviewed charges with the Lake County state's attorney's office.
"We want to ensure that nobody in the school is in danger and that the students are safe," Woodside said.
In announcing the arrest, Woodside said an investigation "revealed that behavior and a racially-charged statement made by a single student caused a disruption within the school."
School officials would not comment on specifics of the incident. In a statement, administrators said they are familiar with what happened and have turned over the investigation to police.
"Since it is an ongoing investigation by the Police Department, district officials will not comment until the investigation is complete," the statement read.
The incident flew under the radar much of the week until the mother of a Warren junior, who was offended by the incident, contacted the school, police and local media.
The Park City woman, who requested that her name not be published to protect the identify of her daughter, said she was shocked to see such racism in Gurnee.
"It does make me uneasy and it makes my daughter uncomfortable," the woman said. "It's a sad case."
One of the witnesses to the incident contacted state Rep. Eddie Washington, D-Waukegan, who said the incident was inexcusable, particularly considering events in Jena, La.
Washington said one of his legislative aides is closely monitoring how the high school and Gurnee police handle the incident. Because racial matters are so sensitive, Washington said he wants to make sure the students at the school understand how serious Hiett's alleged actions are.
"(Students) know what a (noose) means," Washington said. "A picture of a hanging noose is very offensive. It's the same (to blacks) as a swastika is to the Jewish community."
Last December, six teenagers in Jena, La., were arrested after beating up a white student. That incident was apparently sparked by a series of racially-charged incidents that began when nooses were hung under a tree at Jena High School. No action was taken against the teens thought to have hung the nooses. Last week, Jena became the center of national attention when thousands marched in support of the six teenagers.
Hiett's charge is a misdemeanor. Attempts to reach the Hiett home were unsuccessful Thursday evening. Additional information about his arrest is expected today.