New Nation Noose News

http://nypost.com/2015/11/08/nyu-students-upset-about-suicide-imagery-in-decorations/

NYU students upset about ‘suicide imagery’ in decorations
By Amber Jamieson and Kathianne Boniello
November 8, 2015 | 2:26am

In a scary case of political correctness, a projection of a silhouetted figure hanging from a noose — part of Halloween decorations at an NYU Law School costume ball — prompted liberal student groups to pen an angry letter to administrators.

The Fall Ball decor on Oct. 29 showed “triggering, disrespectful, and harmful suicide imagery,” said the law school’s Mental Health Law and Justice Association in an open letter to deans Jason Belk and Trevor Morrison.

“For members of our community who have lost someone to suicide or who have had personal experiences, this topic is not a Halloween gimmick,” it reads. :rolleyes:

The projection showed “silhouetted people engaging in what we can only imagine were intended to be ‘spooky’ activities,” according to the letter. “One of the images projected displayed a man dying by suicide.”

The letter demanded an apology “to all members of our community who may have been triggered” by the images. :rolleyes:

The offending video was projected onto the windows inside Greenberg Lounge in the law school’s Vanderbilt Hall building during the annual ball, attended by hundreds of students in costume.

A group of law students selected the Halloween theme and the school’s Office of Student Affairs provided decorations.

But one partier described the decorations as “very standard Halloweeny things.”

She was not surprised at the uproar, however.

“NYU tends to be very sensitive to this kind of thing,” she told The Post.

The law school didn’t formally apologize but did issue a conciliatory statement: “We agree that some of the imagery at this year’s Fall Ball was inappropriate, and it won’t be used again,” said NYU Law School spokesman Michael Orey.

Orey said that the dean of students will be meeting with concerned students next week to discuss the matter.
 
http://www.roanoke.com/news/crime/f...cle_0389b2b6-291c-50d3-8b5a-3b2db67e786d.html

Rocky Mount man guilty of hanging a noose is jailed over new yard sign

Police said Jack Turner put up a derogatory sign in front of his home.


Posted: Wednesday, December 2, 2015 5:00 pm

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The Rocky Mount man who was convicted of hanging a noose in his front yard — and who is due to be sentenced for that crime next week — is back in jail, accused of making another provocative public display.

At his trial in September, Jack Eugene Turner, 52, was found guilty of a Class 6 felony. He was allowed to remain free on bond, but one of the conditions of his release was that he not post any further symbols or messages in his yard on Lindsey Lane.

On Tuesday, police said Turner was arrested for a second time after he put up a sign in front of his home that read “N----- lives don’t matter. Got rope?”:cool:
 
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/05/27/depaul-investigates-reports-of-noose-found-on-campus/


DePaul Investigates Reports Of Noose Found On Campus
May 27, 2016 6:33 AM

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CHICAGO (CBS) — DePaul University officials are investigating reports that a noose was found on the Lincoln Park campus on Thursday.

In an email to students and faculty, the university said:

“Late this afternoon we received multiple reports that a noose — a horrific symbol of racist intimidation — was found on the Lincoln Park Campus. These reports are being investigated and those found to be responsible will be held accountable. Please report any information you have about this incident to Public Safety. “

The statement did not provide additional details, but WGN reports the noose was reported to be hanging from a university dorm entrance.
 
http://nypost.com/2016/05/28/city-forcing-artist-to-remove-noose-from-symbolic-sculpture/

City forcing artist to remove noose from symbolic sculpture
By Melkorka Licea
May 28, 2016 | 12:39am

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Aaron Bell with his artwork, titled "Stand Tall, Stand Loud." Photo: J.C. Rice


The city wants to censor a local artist’s sculpture — or ban it completely from Riverside Park — because it uses a noose to symbolize racial discrimination.

Aaron Bell’s artwork, titled “Stand Tall, Stand Loud,” features a rusted metal frame of a man’s body topped with a hangman’s rope instead of a head. :p

The retired advertising art director was one of seven students at The Art Students League of New York to have his work selected for the “Models to Monuments” program, with the sculptures to be exhibited at the Upper West Side park for a year, starting June 16.

But Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver wants him to lose the noose, Bell said.

“I was told by the M2M director Greg Wyatt that the commissioner wanted it changed,” the White Plains artist said. “I was also never afforded the opportunity to defend my art.”

Bell added, “I feel insulted and like it’s a violation of my rights. I’m really disappointed in the city. I’m shocked that something like this can still happen in this day and age.”

The noose recalls racial lynchings, and the 67-year-old sculptor said it is meant as a statement against hate and bigotry. :rolleyes:

The piece “caused concern” because it would be located “adjacent to an area regularly programmed with … activities such as yoga, Pilates,” said Parks spokesman Sam Biederman.

The midtown Manhattan art school disagreed with the city’s decision, but “in this case we have to defer to the judgment of the NYC Parks,” said the school director, Ira Goldberg.

Now, Bell – who has been a student at the League for eight years – is being forced to redesign his piece.

“I was told that if I wanted my piece to be installed, I would have to take out the noose,” he said. “I’m not happy. I think the option that I was forced to come up with changes the statement to be less powerful.”

Bell said he will reluctantly replace the noose with two wide-open mouths — which, ironically, symbolizes speaking up for your rights.

“Getting your sculpture put up in a public place in New York City is like hitting the lottery,” he said. “I can’t give up the opportunity. But I still stand by my original work.”
 
http://nypost.com/2017/04/06/well-known-butcher-accused-of-handing-black-delivery-driver-a-noose/

Well-known butcher accused of handing black delivery driver a noose
By Shawn Cohen, Joe Tacopino and Tina Moore
April 6, 2017 | 8:26pm | Updated

A well-known butcher in the West Village is being investigated by cops for allegedly handing a noose to an African-American delivery driver and saying “Here’s your present.”

Joe Ottomanelli, of The Ottomanelli Bros. Butcher Shoppe, has been accused of giving the noose made from yellow rope to driver Victor Sheppard, according to police sources.

Sheppard, who was at the shop making a delivery, took the alarming object to police at the 6th Precinct Station House. :mad:

Sheppard told police the butcher exclaimed “Here’s your present” and “You can use it when you’re stressed and need to end it all,” according to police sources.

The 60-year-old Ottomanelli, whose shop has been in the neighborhood since 1900 and has gotten glowing reviews in the Zagat guide, has not been charged :confused:, though the probe is ongoing :mad:, sources said.

The owner of Bleeker Street Pizza, who said he has known Ottomanelli for 20 year, said the allegations against him were “bullsh–.”

“He probably joked and someone took it the wrong way,” the pizza maker, Tony Salihaj, said. “I think it’s bulls–t.”
 
Black delivery driver says he’s ‘paranoid’ after noose incident
By Kevin Fasick and Dean Balsamini
April 8, 2017 | 3:55pm | Updated

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Victor Sheppard (right) with Reverend Kevin McCall
G.N. Miller


The black deliveryman who accused a well-known West Village butcher of handing him a noose has been living a nightmare ever since :rolleyes:, he said Saturday.

“I can’t sleep, I’m paranoid, worried about other extremists coming after me because of what somebody started :eek:,” Victor Sheppard told the crowd at the National Action Network’s Harlem headquarters.

Police sources confirmed Thursday that Joe Ottomanelli, of O. Ottomanelli & Sons meat market on Bleecker Street is being probed for allegedly handing Sheppard, 36, a yellow noose and saying “Here’s your present.”

Sheppard told the crowd that the rope was nothing to laugh about — but that’s what he claimed the meatheads in the shop were doing.

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Victor Sheppard was handed this noose by a well-known butcher


“Yeah, other co-workers were there. They just laughed along with it. It’s a laughing situation over there,” Sheppard said. “They just laughed at me,…after they gave me the noose they was just laughing at me and I felt threatened. I don’t want to get too much into that but, it’s been horrible. It’s been a horrible experience.”

Rev. Kevin McCall demanded cops take the probe seriously. :mad:

“He’s the joke for giving him a noose,” McCall said.

The hope is to prevent hate-crimes from becoming a new normal, the Rev. Al Sharpton said.

“Last Saturday they buried a man killed in Times Square,’ he said, referring to Timothy Caughman, killed by a Baltimore man who said he came to the Big Apple to kill black people. “This Saturday you got the brother here, that got a noose as a gift,” he said.

He continued: “ It’s time for us to get together and stand up and fight back. We are not going backwards.”

The 60-year-old Ottomanelli , who was not at the butcher shop on Saturday afternoon, has not been charged, but the investigation is ongoing, sources said.
 
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http://nypost.com/2017/04/11/butcher-accused-in-noose-incident-blames-fired-employee/

Butcher accused in noose incident blames fired employee
By Shawn Cohen
April 11, 2017 | 6:26pm | Updated

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John Roca


A famed West Village butcher accused of handing a noose to a black delivery man claims he didn’t make the racist gesture — and now blames a fired employee.

Joe Ottomanelli, of Ottomanelli & Sons Meat Market on Bleecker Street, sent the longtime employee packing this week, his lawyer, Ron Kuby :confused:, told the Post Tuesday.

“Joe Ottomanelli on Monday terminated the employee who had given a makeshift noose to a delivery person,” Kuby said. “Ottomanelli stores have zero tolerance for racism. :rolleyes: It’s unfortunate that this ugly and stupid act occurred.”

The incident occurred April 4 at the market on Bleeker Street, where Victor Sheppard had been making deliveries for months.

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Victor Sheppard was allegedly handed this noose by a well-known butcher


Sheppard, 36, insisted that the 60-year-old white butcher handed him the noose, fashioned out of yellow rope.

“Here’s your present,” Sheppard said the business owner told him. “You can use it when you’re stressed and need to end it all.”

During a prior delivery, Ottomanelli allegedly cracked to Sheppard, “If this was years ago, you’d be on the back of the bus.”

Sheppard reported the incident to the local police precinct, and the NYPD’s hate crimes task force initiated an investigation. :mad:

Meanwhile, Sheppard shared his feelings about the exchange at the National Action Network’s Harlem headquarters Saturday.

“Yeah, other co-workers were there. They just laughed along with it. It’s a laughing situation over there,” Sheppard said. “They just laughed at me,…after they gave me the noose they was just laughing at me and I felt threatened.”

But Kuby said “the problem has been rectified” now that the employee has been fired.

Kuby wouldn’t share the name of the employee. Nor could he say with certainty who made the “joke” about the noose.

“My investigation has not gotten to the point of determining every word that everybody spoke,” he said. “The point is the guy got fired.”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is still investigating, a police source said.
 
http://nypost.com/2017/05/03/butcher-accused-of-giving-black-deliveryman-a-noose-surrenders/

Butcher accused of giving noose to black deliveryman surrenders
By Shawn Cohen, Elizabeth Rosner and Priscilla DeGregory
May 3, 2017 | 10:17am | Updated

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Joe Ottomanelli arrives at Central Booking on May 3. Steven Hirsch


A well-known West Village butcher surrendered to police Wednesday morning for allegedly giving a black deliveryman a noose and telling him, “Here’s your present.”

Joe Ottomanelli, of Ottomanelli & Sons Meat Market on Bleecker Street, turned himself into police at the 7th Precinct on the Lower East Side and was booked on aggravated harassment charges.

The meat vendor said nothing as he was escorted out of the precinct in handcuffs Wednesday afternoon.

“The [District Attorney] decided to score some cheap political points by prosecuting,” said his lawyer Ron Kuby :confused:, who popped into the precinct for a few minutes before 9 a.m.

The 60-year-old butcher, who is white, is accused of giving Victor Sheppard a makeshift noose made out of yellow rope at his shop on April 4.

Sheppard, 36, who’d been making deliveries to the market for months, told police that Ottomanelli also told him “You can use it when you’re stressed and need to end it all,” police sources said at the time.

During a prior delivery, Ottomanelli allegedly cracked to Sheppard, “If this was years ago, you’d be on the back of the bus.”

Ottomanelli denied any involvement in the noose incident and blamed it on a longtime employee that he’d fired.

Kuby reiterated that his client was innocent.

“He didn’t do it. He found out about it after it happened. It was a fired employee,” the lawyer said. “It was stupid, ugly, hateful — but it wasn’t a crime. I understand hate crimes but I don’t understand the crime part of this. Not everything stupid and ugly and hateful in New York is in fact a crime.”

Joe Mure, the lawyer representing fired worker Paul Durango, said he’s considering suing for defamation of character.

“They’re trying to throw my client under the bus. It’s an absolute shame. My client is very resentful,” Mure told The Post.

“My client absolutely had nothing to do with this, and the only reason why they could possibly be blaming him is to create an illusion that it was someone other Joe Ottomanelli.”

Mure added that Durango was working that day but didn’t see the noose exchange because he wasn’t in the room.

Ottomanelli’s arrest comes after the incident was investigated by the NYPD Hates Crimes Unit.

He was released on his own recognizance after a brief arraignment in Manhattan criminal court.

Prosecutors issued an order of protection ordering Ottomanelli to stay away from Durango but said Durango no longer makes deliveries to the shop.

“He is extremely sad and disappointed that after decades of serving a vibrant and diverse community, his good name has been tarnished with this false accusation,” said Kuby.
 
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/20...tion-following-report-of-ethnic-intimidation/

Mint Officials Silent Following Report Of ‘Ethnic Intimidation’
July 6, 2017 5:48 PM By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — U.S. Mint officials and union leaders representing workers at the Mint in Philadelphia have gone silent after the New York Times reported on an incident of ethnic intimidation there.

According to the Times report, a white male :eek: Mint employee shaped a rope, normally used for tying up coin bags, into a noose :rolleyes: and left it at the work station of an African-American co-worker. :rolleyes:

Mint officials declined to talk about it, but sent an email statement, saying “We have absolutely zero tolerance for the kind of misconduct reported at the Mint. Secretary (((Mnuchin))) has directed that this matter be handled swiftly and seriously. The investigation is moving ahead quickly…we strive every day for a workplace environment that is welcoming and safe for all.”

More puzzling is the union’s silence on the matter. Local officials hung up when asked about it, and didn’t respond to subsequent calls.

The national union didn’t return numerous calls, but sent a statement saying they’re “distressed at the nature of this incident and anxiously await the agency’s findings on the matter.”
 
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/07/07/police-noose-tree-rittenhouse/#comment-357466

Police: Noose Found Hanging Outside Prominent Center City Landmarks For Second Time In 2 Weeks
July 7, 2017 4:50 PM By Stephanie Ballesteros

PHILADELPHIA (CBS/AP) — For the second time in less than two weeks, Philadelphia Police say a noose has been found hanging outside prominent Center City landmarks.

The most recent incident happened Friday morning.

A photo from Billy Penn shows the noose on a tree near 18th and Lombard Streets. That’s near Penn Medicine Rittenhouse.

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Credit: Billy Penn


It has since been removed.

Investigators are looking into who may have placed it there and why.

“It could be someone playing a prank, but what we’re concerned about is that, obviously, anytime you see a noose or that type of artifact, it evokes images of lynchings and, so, it could be something related to hate speech, so that’s why we’re not treating it as something benign,” said Capt. Sekou Kinebrew.

This comes as another noose incident is under investigation at the U.S. Mint on Independence Mall.

In this case, a mint employee is accused of hanging the noose at the plant on the chair of an African-American colleague , which reportedly happened last week.

The unidentified employee created the noose with rope used to seal coin bags once they’re full, according to the president of the mint workers union.

Surveillance video captured the employee’s actions. Around 3 p.m. June 28, the white male coin maker walked across the factory floor with the noose in hand.

Many African-American workers called and texted the union president the next day, and the U.S. Treasury Department’s inspector general launched an internal investigation.

The Treasury Department said in a statement that Secretary Steven Mnuchin wants it handled “swiftly and seriously.”

“We have absolutely zero tolerance for the kind of misconduct reported at the Mint. Secretary Mnuchin has directed that this matter be handled swiftly and seriously. The investigation is moving ahead quickly,” the department said in a statement. “Treasury’s employees are our best asset, and we strive every day for a workplace environment that is welcoming and safe for all.”
 
http://nypost.com/2017/09/19/butcher-who-gave-black-delivery-driver-a-noose-pleads-guilty/

Butcher who gave black delivery driver a noose pleads guilty
By Elizabeth Rosner and Natalie O'Neill
September 19, 2017 | 4:33pm

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Joe Ottomanelli
Steven Hirsch


The West Village butcher who handed a black delivery man a noose as a twisted “present” pleaded guilty Tuesday to disorderly conduct for pulling the threatening stunt.

Joe Ottomanelli, of Ottomanelli & Sons Meat Market on Bleecker Street, got off with a slap on the wrist in the form of three days of community service, according to Manhattan Supreme Court sources.

In April, the 60-year-old meat hawker gave delivery driver Victor Sheppard, 36, a makeshift noose made out of yellow rope at his shop, law enforcement sources said.

“You can use it when you’re stressed and need to end it all,” he said, according to Sheppard’s account to cops.

Ottomanelli was first booked on aggravated harassment charges in May. :mad: But prosecutors offered him a plea deal due to his lack of criminal record, court sources said.

If he completes community service at a soup kitchen or food pantry , undergoes a restorative justice program and stays out of trouble with the law, he has a shot at getting his record wiped clean, according to the court sources.
 
http://nypost.com/2017/09/19/demoted-emt-boss-says-he-was-branded-a-racist-for-no-reason/

Demoted EMT boss says he was branded a racist for no reason
By Julia Marsh
September 19, 2017 | 6:47pm

An EMS supervisor says he’s been falsely branded a racist and is suing the city for demoting him after a first responder under his command hung a noose in an ambulance.

Capt. Vincent Walla was off duty when the rope was found in the ambulance at a Staten Island EMT station on Aug. 15, he says in a new Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit challenging his demotion.

Two weeks later, while Walla was on vacation, union rep Keisha Brockington discovered a threatening, racially-charged letter in her locker after she tried to help the EMT who said he’d put the noose in the ambulance as a prank.

The EMT, John Thornton, was suspended for 10 days then put on probation for six months. :mad:

Authorities are still investigating the letter incident.

When Walla, 45, returned from vacation he learned he was being transferred. He was sent out of his home borough to Brooklyn and docked $700 of weekly overtime, according to court papers.

“Moving him implies he is guilty and labels him as a racist” when “he did nothing” wrong, his suit says.

He wants to be reinstatement to his Staten Island post plus back wages.

A city Law Department spokesman said, “These claims will be reviewed.”

An FDNY rep added that “no permanent transfers have been made.”

“Five supervisors were temporarily reassigned due to serious incidents at Station 22, which are currently under investigation by the NYPD,” the spokesman said.
 
http://nypost.com/2017/10/23/noose-found-inside-met-opera-locker-room/

Noose found inside Met opera locker room
By Tina Moore
October 23, 2017 | 3:38pm

A musician at the Metropolitan Opera House in Manhattan found a noose in the men’s locker room Saturday night — and cops are investigating it as a possible hate crime :confused:, sources told The Post.

The Metropolitan Opera said the noose was found by a percussionist at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza just after 7 p.m. prior to the start of Turandot.

“We immediately called the NYPD, who began their investigation with the Met’s full support and cooperation :mad:,” the statement reads.

“This is a very disturbing incident for the members of our company and, if it was a deliberate act of racial hate, we would like to find out as soon as possible to help guide our next steps.”

It is unclear who the noose was targeting. The musician who found it is white, but sources said it was being probed as an “anti-black hate crime.” :crazy:
 
https://nypost.com/2018/03/19/butch...k-deliveryman-noose-may-have-charges-dropped/

Butcher accused of giving black deliveryman noose may have charges dropped
By Emily Saul and Gina Daidone
March 19, 2018 | 8:49pm

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Joe Ottomanelli
R.Umar Abbasi


The Bleeker Street butcher accused of handing a noose to a black deliveryman is off the chopping block — so long as he stays out of trouble.

Joseph Ottomanelli, who allegedly handed a makeshift noose to 36-year-old drive Victor Sheppard, will have the case against him dismissed and sealed if he can avoid arrest for the next six months.

The longtime meat-hawker, of Ottomanelli & Sons Meat Market, maintains he had nothing to do with the racist stunt.

“Joseph Ottomanelli did not do that which he was accused of doing,” defense attorney Ron Kuby :mad: said Monday. “Unfortunately, a false accusation has become tantamount to a conviction and perpetual sentence on social media. He and his family will continue to serve a diverse community, with zero tolerance for bias, as they have done for over a century.”

The 61-year-old butcher has previously said a disgruntled, fired employee was behind the hateful act. :rolleyes:
 
https://nypost.com/2018/03/30/mark-cuban-now-entrenched-in-arena-noose-accusation/

Mark Cuban now embroiled in arena ‘noose’ accusation
By Joshua Rhett Miller
March 30, 2018 | 10:09am | Updated

An attorney for a former employee of the American Airlines Center in Dallas wants to depose Mavericks owner (((Mark Cuban))) regarding allegations of racial discrimination, including an incident involving a noose found at the arena in 2011.

Michelle Newsome was fired last year after 13 years with the Arena Operating Company, which manages the American Airlines Center, and she filed a petition Thursday in Dallas County indicating she’s “seeking information regarding Cuban’s knowledge of and/or passive or active encouragement of [or conspiracy regarding] sexual harassment and race discrimination that has been occurring at AAC and adversely affecting employees,” the Dallas Morning News reports.

Newsome, who filed a $13 million wrongful termination lawsuit against the arena last year, alleges the work environment she endured as a sales suite executive is “very similar” to earlier reports that prompted the NBA to investigate a woman’s allegations that Cuban sexually assaulted her in an Oregon bar in 2011. The Mavericks also hired outside counsel to probe allegations of inappropriate conduct by former team president Terdema Ussery after a Sports Illustrated report described a hostile workplace for women.

“The Animal House culture that has been described at the Mavericks’ office is very similar to what’s going on at American Airlines Center, and they [arena operators] are very aware of it,” Newsome told the Dallas Morning News Thursday.

The noose, according to Thursday’s filing, was discovered by a man, who remains employed by the arena’s management company, on Feb. 22, 2011, one day before a Mavericks home game. The employee, whose name was redacted from a legal declaration, said Cuban saw the noose near his suite, grabbed it and threw it out.

Newsome, according to Thursday’s filing, claims she was only told that Cuban disposed of the noose and that she hadn’t seen it herself.

The anonymous employee claims he saw Nate Rutkowski – a white male working with the broadcast crew – place the hangman’s noose in a private “IT” closest across from Cuban’s suite.

“Cuban’s actions indicated for me to not make a big deal of it,” the employee stated. “Cuban then personally removed the hangman’s noose and threw it in the trash. Cuban offered no apology, sympathy or offer to investigate.”

A cleaning crew was sent the following day to the closet, according to the employee.

“This was not a common occurrence,” he wrote. “As an African-American male, I took the hangman’s noose as a threat of violence against African-Americans. Nate Rutkowski eventually admitted to handling the noose.”

Rutkowski could not be reached for comment, the paper said. He continued to work at the arena without receiving any sensitivity training, according to the declaration.

“We have now talked to the person who found the noose and we are asking Mr. Cuban to release documents and for his testimony,” said attorney Rogge Dunn, who is representing Newsome. “This is part and parcel of the culture that has been pervasive within the Mavericks.”

Cuban declined comment on Thursday, but American Airlines Center chief operating officer and general manager Dave Brown told the Dallas Morning News that all forms of harassment are “strictly prohibited” at the arena.

“We investigate and respond promptly to any allegation of inappropriate conduct,” Brown said in a statement. “As part of our commitment to a harassment-free work place, Arena Operating Company provides resources and training for employees. It has long been our policy to protect the privacy rights of Arena Operating Company employees and we cannot respond to any specific allegations.”
 
http://wjla.com/news/local/hate-crime-investigation-bananas-hung-nooses-american-university

Hate crime investigation involving bananas hung from nooses ends at American University
Sunday, April 29th 2018

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WASHINGTON (ABC7) — It’s been nearly a year since a racist incident on the American University campus. Bananas were hung from nooses :pand placed around the school last May.

Surveillance video captured grainy images of a possible suspect school leaders said investigators may never know who was behind the hate crime.

In a memo to the American University community, President Sylvia Burwell said the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and American University Police exhausted all credible leads and a suspect was not identified. It’s an end to an investigation but not to students’ frustrations.
 
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2...-around-neck-inside-queen-village-playground/

Reverend: Boys Hung Black Doll With Noose In Philly Playground To ‘Creep People Out’
August 2, 2018 at 8:10 pm

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A reverend says a black doll found hanging from a makeshift noose in a Philadelphia playground was apparently staged by a group of kids who wanted to “creep people out.”

Police say they received a 911 call around noon after a city worker found a black doll hanging from a telephone wire with a makeshift noose around its neck at the Weccacoe Playground at 4th and Queen Streets. :D

“It’s very sickening and a vile thing to discover,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross.

Firefighters removed the doll around 2:30 p.m., but not before Rev. Mark Tyler saw it and posted it to social media. :bow:

“Sadly, I’m not surprised,” said Tyler.

Tyler says the playground is the original burial ground for Mother Bethel AME Church. :eek:

“For a person of color in the country, I would say there’s really no place I would go and say, ‘Oh, in this place, I know I’m safe.’ It’s just not been my history.”

But in an updated Facebook live on Thursday night, Tyler said boys who live in the neighborhood confessed to the act.

“Some young children came forward and confessed that they actually did it. Believe it or not, these children were under the age of 13. They were black and they were white and they live here in the neighborhood,” said Tyler.

Tyler said the boys found the doll and the noose in the playground and wanted to “creep people out.” :devil:
 
https://nypost.com/2018/08/07/emt-accused-of-hanging-noose-in-ambulance-busted-for-dwi/

EMT accused of hanging noose in ambulance busted for DWI
By Ben Feuerherd
August 7, 2018 | 4:01pm

An FDNY medic on probation for hanging a noose in a department ambulance was busted for drunk driving in Staten Island on Sunday, authorities said.

John Thornton, 22, hung a noose :eek: in an ambulance parked at his Staten Island stationhouse on Aug. 15, 2017 in what he said was a prank, The Post reported at the time.

He was suspended for 10 days and put on probation after the stunt, fire officials said.

Thornton enlisted the help of a union rep while dealing with the fallout from the prank, but she later reported being the target of a racially charged threat. The rep, Keisha Brockington, told FDNY officials that a racist, threatening note was left in her locker after she tried to help Thornton.

On Sunday, Thornton was allegedly drunk behind the wheel of his Honda Ridgeline on Oakland Avenue near Cary Avenue in New Brighton at about 4 a.m., police said.

Cops stopped him, noticed he reeked of booze and that his eyes were bloodshot and his face flush, authorities said.

As police spoke to him, Thorton said: “I’m sorry, I had too much,” according to court papers.

He refused to take a breath test and was arrested for DWI. He was released without bail at his arraignment later that day.

An FDNY spokesperson said Thorton will be suspended without pay and may be fired for his drunk driving arrest.
 
https://people.com/style/burberry-apologizes-model-wears-hoodie-noose-neck-runway/

Burberry Apologizes After Sending Model Down Runway in a Hoodie with a Noose Around the Neck
Joelle Goldstein
February 19, 2019 10:31 PM

The designer brand issued the apology after many critiqued the company for making light of suicide on the runway

Burberry has issued an apology after one of their models walked the runway wearing a sweatshirt with strings tied in the shape of a noose around the neck.

The designer brand received a lot of backlash following their decision to showcase the controversial design during their Autumn/Winter 2019 fashion week show in London earlier this week.

In the apology issued to CNN, Burberry’s Chief Executive Officer Marco Gobbetti said the company regretted the design and would be removing the item from their collection.

“We are deeply sorry for the distress caused by one of the products that featured in our A/W 2019 runway collection,” Gobbetti said. “Though the design was inspired by the marine theme that ran throughout the collection, it was insensitive and we made a mistake.”

Burberry did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In addition, Burberry’s Chief Creative Officer Riccardo Tisci, who also served as the designer of the show, issued an apology on behalf of the fashion brand.

Burberry model wearing the hoodie with a noose

“I am so deeply sorry for the distress that has been caused as a result of one of the pieces in my show on Sunday,” he said, according to CNN.

“It was never my intention to upset anyone,” Tisci continued. “It does not reflect my values nor Burberry’s and we have removed it from the collection. I will make sure that this does not happen again.”

Critique of the controversial design happened days after the model strutted down the runway in the brown sweatshirt.

Model Liz Kennedy, who walked in the fashion show but did not wear the design, expressed her disgust and disapproval for the noose prior to Sunday’s show, but said she was dismissed because “it’s fashion.”

“Suicide is not fashion. It is not glamorous nor edgy and since this show is dedicated to the youth expressing their voice, here I go,” she began the heated Instagram post, which was shared on Sunday.

Along with two photos of design, Kennedy also posted a screenshot of an Instagram post from Tisci, where the CCO captioned a photo of the sweatshirt by saying he was “dedicating this show to the youth of today.” The post has since been deleted.

“Riccardo Tisci and everyone at Burberry it is beyond me how you could let a look resembling a noose hanging from a neck out on the runway,” she said. “How could anyone overlook this and think it would be okay to do this especially in a line dedicated to young girls and youth. The impressionable youth.”

Kennedy went on to mention the “rising suicide rates worldwide” and the “horrifying history of lynching,” adding that of all the ways to tie a rope, the designers specifically chose a noose while “completely ignoring the fact that it was hanging around a neck.”

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Kennedy argued that a well-known brand like Burberry, who she said prides itself on being classy, “should not have overlooked such an obvious resemblance” and explained that she was personally impacted by suicide, which made this even more difficult to grasp.

The model also added that the company would make light of suicide in the dressing room — “they briefly hung [a noose] from the ceiling and were laughing about it in the dressing room,” she claimed — and said they dismissed her concerns when she brought it to their attention.

“I left my fitting extremely triggered after seeing this look (even though I did not wear it myself),” she said. “Feeling as though I was right back where I was when I was going through an experience with suicide in my family.”

“I had asked to speak to someone about it but the only thing I was told to do was to write a letter,” Kennedy continued. “I had a brief conversation with someone but all that it entailed was ‘it’s fashion. Nobody cares about what’s going on in your personal life so just keep it to yourself.'”

Kennedy, however, refused to stay silent on the matter, which she felt “very passionate” about.

“…this is an issue bigger than myself. The issue is not about me being upset, there is a bigger picture here of what fashion turns a blind eye to or does to gain publicity,” she finished. “A look so ignorantly put together and a situation so poorly handled. I am ashamed to have been apart of the show.”
 
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