November16, 2007

Nooses Found at Cal State Fullerton Rally
Civil Rights Leaders Outraged

By Melissa MacBride

Civil rights leaders are calling for a Justice Department probe after nooses are found hanging at Cal State Fullerton. It is a symbol of racism, hate and death and it is being is being displayed at cities across the country.

Four nooses were hung at Cal State Fullerton before a rally against hate last week.

Civil rights activist are outraged and are demanding the federal government form a national task force to combat hate crimes.

"It is not one campus, it is not one place, it is not one time. It is 18 to 19 states the last count. It is the number of cities and the number of workplaces and campuses. So it demands national action," said said Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President of the Los Angeles Urban Policy Roundtable.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson says DiversityInc.com is tracking noose hanging incidents nationwide. In the last month it counted more than seventy-five.

"It only represents one thing and that is death. We do not want to see it. We are tired of the hate crimes and we are tired of the racism," said Eddie Jones the President of the L.A. Civil Rights Association.

Jones says the increase in noose hangings could be copy-cat efforts following the case of the 'Jena Six' in Louisiana where white students hung nooses from a tree on school grounds.

But they say whatever the motive at Cal State Fullerton and other cities the message is the same.

"We are deeply concerned because of the message that is sent. No matter who is sending the message or why. We need this kind of action to send another message that it will not be tolerated," said Earl Ofari Hutchinson.

So far, police have no suspects and investigators say that as of right now this action cannot be classified as a hate crime.

Anyone with information about the nooses is urged to call Cal State Fullerton at 657-278-2515.