Cross burning info reward
The FBI has announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification/arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for three cross burnings that occurred on May 25,2005, in Durham. The $5/000 is being offered in addition to a $10,000 reward offered by Governor Easley and a $1,000 reward offered by the Durham People's Alliance, The FBI is investigating this matter jointly with the Durham Police Department and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone with information should call the FBI (704) 377-9200; North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation,(919) 662-4500; or Durham Police Department Crimestoppers, (919) 683-1200.
Comments (3)
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Of course, I have no love for cross burners and this is mostly a rhetorical question. Cross burning is abhorrent but it's legal in some situations (under the first amendment) except where it's for intimidation and threat (I think; I am not a lawyer). If that's true, what crime did the cross burners commit that a reward is posted?
Are the police classifying this as a hate crime? (Just trying to keep up...)
Posted on June 3, 2005 1:14 PM
Sue, I don't know this for sure, but I'm betting it's legal to burn a cross when you have permission from some legal entity to do so or when you do it on your own property. That isn't what seems to have happened here.
Posted on June 3, 2005 1:25 PM
It's interesting because only one of the burnings happened in a predominantly black neighborhood -- so was it racist? The only other thing we know is that the note left at one of the scenes mentioned the Klan but called for gangs to 'cease and desist.'
Posted on June 3, 2005 2:43 PM