SOMERS — When the lights momentarily went dark in the room
packed with those concerned about recent apparent hate crime events
at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, one student later said she
had been “terrified.”
Then she, like many others Thursday, went on to denounce what
were believed to be racially motivated incidents at Parkside that
escalated to apparent death threats and sparked an atmosphere of
fear.
On Friday, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department determined
there was no danger to Parkside students, according to a news
release, after one of the people on a list of targeted students
confessed that she created the list. The investigation into whether
others were involved in making a rubber band noose and a note
continued.
More than 350 concerned students, staff, parents, officials and
others packed the Cinema of Parkside, 900 Wood Road, late Thursday
night in response to the incidents.
“Unfortunately, we have had hate crimes on our campus. And they
have escalated to a new level — a level of threat to our students.
And I will not tolerate that and will not allow that to happen,”
University Chancellor Deborah Ford told the crowd, adding a full
criminal investigation had been launched.
The first incident reportedly occurred Wednesday when a student
found a noose, made of rubber bands, hanging in the fourth floor
common area of Pike River Suites, one of the university’s residence
halls. On Thursday morning, Aubriana Banks, a senior studying
criminal justice and ethnic studies who had found the noose and
reported it, received a threatening note and a second noose on her
door. Then on Thursday night, the situation further escalated when
students found fliers at Pike River listing names of about a dozen
black students and threatening them.
The fliers read: “(Racial slur) will die in 2 days. No (racial
slur) wanted,” with 13 names listed below.
“It’s 2012. I am a man of color. My name was on that list,”
Darryl Griffin, a senior majoring in communications from Milwaukee,
said to the crowd, adding he just got back from an internship. “Why
am I on the list? What did I do? Is it because of my skin color?
Yes it is. I’m pissed off, I’m sad, I’m tired of crying.”
Victims, friends, supporters and officials all drew together to
denounce hate.
“I am the victim and I’m tired of hiding,” Banks said, adding
people were telling her to leave, to hide. She later said the note
she received Thursday morning said to run. “I’m not.”
Students, student government leaders, professors and others
offered personal escorts, to open up their homes, words of sympathy
and more during the hourlong meeting.
One man, a student, was among others to offer to escort people
around campus.
“I’m a fat dude — you can find me in the cafeteria,” he said,
drawing laughter from the otherwise solemn crowd. “So that you
don’t have to be afraid.”
This is a criminal investigation, Cindy Graham, interim dean of
students, said in response to a question about what will happen to
the perpetrators when and if they are caught: “I think housing is
going to be provided for a long period of time for this person —
and it isn’t going to be here.”
Parkside Police Chief Jim Heller promised a “saturation” of law
enforcement presence covering the residence halls, the parking lots
and all aspects of campus.
Residence halls, including Pike River, were locked down and only
residents were allowed access. Heller said officers were also
stationed at the hall entrances and on floors.
“We will not tolerate hate, threats and disrespect here at
(Parkside),” Ford said in concluding remarks reiterating the
university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. “Let’s not let
this individual or individuals control us.”
Anyone with information can call the University of
Wisconsin-Parkside Police at (262) 595-2455.