Shootings and threats against La. African American Mayors

[Anita Garcia]

PRESS RELEASE:
LOUISIANA NAACP CALLS FOR U. S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION OF RECENT SHOOTINGS AND THREATS AGAINST AFRICAN AMERICAN MAYORS IN LOUISIANA

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, JANUARY 10, 2007

The NAACP Louisiana State Conference has requested that the United States Department of Justice investigate recent shootings and threats made against African American Mayors in West Lake, Greenwood, and Jonesboro, Louisiana. The request was made by State President Ernest L. Johnson after a preliminary investigation and interviews with LaSalle Williams, President of West Lake NAACP, James Pannell, President of Shreveport NAACP, Windy Callahan, President of Jackson Parish NAACP and many individuals from the impacted communities.

In his request to the Department of Justice, Johnson made the following comments:
“It appears that these incidents are on the rise either because of copy cat or some other reason. The more I think about these matters I am inclined to believe that these situations could be viewed as voter intimidation after the elections are over. From the telephone calls, we have been receiving at the Louisiana State NAACP Office it is apparent that Black voters are alarmed over these incidents. In other words, there are no incidents of this nature involving White Mayors. African American Mayors and their families are voters and obviously are being intimidated. These incidents are very similar to the intimidation created by Church burnings.”

We are asking that the U. S. Department of Justice launch a civil rights investigation immediately in order to let the public know that the United States Government is involved in these matters. NAACP President & CEO Bruce Gordon is also asking U. S. Attorney General Gonzales to expedite Johnson’s request.

The Louisiana NAACP also questions why the local governments affected have not set up award funds for information leading to the arrests and conviction of any individuals involved. In other cases, local governments and tip organizations have offered awards. However, these organizations are noticeable silent concerning these threats against the very fiber of our voting democracy.

[BayCityProgressive]

1. this is disgusting

We should have the military hunting down the people who did this and prosecute them with attempted murder and hate crimes.

[Anita Garcia]

2. agreed

Amazingly, the local investigation was wholly lacking. Hopefully, the state police will step up to the plate and do more. Louisiana has suffered from a lot of racial hatred lately. Unfortunately the media is ignoring what is going on.
Here is article about Greenwood Mayor shooting: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/BREAKINGNEWS/70111007/1002/NEWS
Here is article about murder/suicide? of Westlake Mayor:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=a8e30032-ed1c-4d49-996e-2d60cee28834&k=0

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. I hope LA does something

at the state level about this. The whole series of shootings smacks of racial intimidation. My question is: if the black mayors step down or are killed, who gets the job? Bet it's either a re-vote or a white person.

[Anita Garcia]

4. Each city has it's own ordinance

I'll check that out and get back to you.
Interesting.

Ernest Lampkins has been mayor of Greenwood since 2004. The town is 150 miles from Westlake, where the other black mayor, Mayor-elect Gerald ''Wash'' Washington died from a gunshot wound.

[Anita Garcia]

5. Westlake Interim Mayor is Dan Cupit

http://www.americanpress.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=601&Itemid=105
"WESTLAKE — Dan Cupit on Monday became this city's first new mayor in 24 years.

The City Council appointed the long-time councilman to serve until elections are held to fill the term that the late Gerald Washington would have begun on Jan. 1.

. . . .
The primary election for mayor and the council seat will be held March 31. If a runoff is needed, it will be held May 5. Qualifying of candidates will be held Feb. 7-9.

[uppityperson]

6. I saw the march on MSM tonight.

kick to get this back up for our own country.

[KingFlorez]

7. This is unbelievable

I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. This is 2007 and we have things like this happening, it's really scary.

[Anita Garcia]

8. Yes, and at the same time...believable

It is bad here.
Racism is alive and thriving.
This is a good time (Dr. King weekend) to draw attention to the pain!