NAACP Utah ‘extraordinarily disenchanted’ about racist taunting of U. ladies’s basketball workforce

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Department of the NAACP is talking out after the reported racist incidents involving the College of Utah Girls’s Basketball workforce in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Thursday.

The president of the NAACP Salt Lake Department and NAACP Tri-State Convention of Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, Jeanetta Williams stated she’s “extraordinarily disenchanted” by what occurred and that “acts of hate crimes shouldn’t be taken flippantly.”

“I’ve spoken with the Coeur d’Alene chief of police, and he assured me that he and his division are doing a radical investigation,” Williams stated in a press release to KSL-TV. “Nonetheless, they should communicate with any of the victims that witnessed listening to and seeing what occurred to get extra particulars and car descriptions.”

Williams additionally confirmed that the FBI is concerned.

As a longtime resident of Idaho earlier than shifting to Utah, Williams she stated she may be very accustomed to Coeur d’Alene and was a part of the organizing group that shaped the five-state Northwest Coalition Towards Malicious Harassment in 1986, after a bombing focused activist and Catholic pastor and priest, Invoice Wassmuth, by the Aryan Nations.

Earlier Tuesday, Coeur d’Alene officers stated what occurred isn’t consultant of their metropolis.

“To the younger ladies who endured racial slurs whereas visiting, I supply my most honest apology,” Coeur d’Alene Mayor Jim Hammond stated.

Police stated they’re wanting into two incidents that occurred final Thursday because the workforce was headed to a dinner from their resort.

They are saying a car drove by and other people yelled racial slurs. Then, because the workforce and others have been strolling again to their resort, a car slowly handed the group, revving its engine and shouting disparaging phrases and threats. Native authorities now say they’re investigating the 2 separate encounters and a number of attainable crimes.

“There’s an Idaho statute relating to malicious harassment. The second is a disorderly conduct statute. After which thirdly, there’s a federal crime based mostly on what truly occurred that night that may be applicable, Chief Lee White stated.

Utah athletic director Mark Harlan additionally took to X.

“All of us admire the outpouring of assist for our college students and workers who skilled these hate crimes in Idaho. They’ll stay our focus,” he wrote.

In a joint assertion with the college, Harlan added that they’re deeply troubled and shaken by what occurred. He additionally thanked the native officers for his or her “robust denouncement of the abhorrent conduct in addition to their dedication to convey these accountable to justice.”

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