Posted on 11/15/2024 4:16:22 AM PST by MtnClimber
Local news outlets in Colorado Springs received a shocking email in late April of last year: A photo and video of a burning cross and a campaign sign of mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade, a native of Nigeria, defaced with the N-word in red spray paint.
“What has this city come to?!” read the email, signed only by “Citizens of Colorado Springs.” This, according to the email, was “another one of their tactics to keep Yemi out.”
The writer then opined on who was likely behind the racist message: supporters of Mobolade’s opponent, center-right Republican Wayne Williams. “Candidate Wayne Williams is pushing hard to win this candidacy and I’m completely appalled by how his following and members are carrying out this nonsense.”
Local TV news ran with the story the next day. “Some of the video in this story may be difficult to watch,” one anchor warned viewers.
“What’s going on in Colorado Springs?” asked a Rocky Mountain NAACP spokesman. “Why is an African American who is running for mayor receiving these types of threats. It’s 2023.”
The Colorado Springs NAACP president said she viewed the racist messaging as an attempt to intimidate voters. “We don’t take this as a hoax,” she told a local Fox reporter.
It was a hoax, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which charged three local activists this week with using instruments of interstate commerce to convey false information and “to intimidate someone by means of fire,” according to charging documents.
The demand for racism in America is greater than the supply.
The demand for racism in America is greater than the supply.
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