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Racist vandalism targets Obama
Jordan Guinn
Issue date: 10/14/08 Section: News
Editor's Note: This story contains racial epithets.
The State Hornet decided to run them in order to convey the seriousness of the situation.
Racial epithets and slurs denigrating Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama were spray painted on a local homeowners fence early this morning.
"White Power," "KKK" and "Nigger" were just some of the racist remarks painted on the fence.
Matt Martinez hired a painter to spell "Obama" in blue letters across his fence last month. He said he did it because it was his property and he wanted to endorse a candidate he believed in.
"Fair Oaks gets a lot of traffic, it would be a high-visibility thing," Martinez said.
He said that he received mostly positive feedback, but he also said that there were some negative responses as well. "I'd say 'poison pen' but there were no threats, just expressing dissatisfaction with it."
This is not the first time Martinez's fence has been vandalized. "Earlier this week, there was an "N" in front of all the Obama's," he said. Martinez painted over the initial vandalism. "It was up there for maybe 24 hours."
Martinez said he recalled hearing screeching tires early this morning, but thought nothing of it at the time.
Sacramento Sheriff Sgt. Tim Curran said that there are no suspects and the biased crimes unit is reviewing the case. He also said that there have been no other vandalisms of this racial intensity in Sacramento recently.
The Obama campaign declined to comment on the vandalism.
"I can't say I'm totally surprised, I can say I'm disappointed," Martinez said.
"The other side has free speech too, but they crossed the line and broke the law," Martinez said.
Jordan Guinn can be reached at jguinn@statehornet.com
The State Hornet decided to run them in order to convey the seriousness of the situation.
Racial epithets and slurs denigrating Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama were spray painted on a local homeowners fence early this morning.
"White Power," "KKK" and "Nigger" were just some of the racist remarks painted on the fence.
Matt Martinez hired a painter to spell "Obama" in blue letters across his fence last month. He said he did it because it was his property and he wanted to endorse a candidate he believed in.
"Fair Oaks gets a lot of traffic, it would be a high-visibility thing," Martinez said.
He said that he received mostly positive feedback, but he also said that there were some negative responses as well. "I'd say 'poison pen' but there were no threats, just expressing dissatisfaction with it."
This is not the first time Martinez's fence has been vandalized. "Earlier this week, there was an "N" in front of all the Obama's," he said. Martinez painted over the initial vandalism. "It was up there for maybe 24 hours."
Martinez said he recalled hearing screeching tires early this morning, but thought nothing of it at the time.
Sacramento Sheriff Sgt. Tim Curran said that there are no suspects and the biased crimes unit is reviewing the case. He also said that there have been no other vandalisms of this racial intensity in Sacramento recently.
The Obama campaign declined to comment on the vandalism.
"I can't say I'm totally surprised, I can say I'm disappointed," Martinez said.
"The other side has free speech too, but they crossed the line and broke the law," Martinez said.
Jordan Guinn can be reached at jguinn@statehornet.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
;lkjl
posted 10/14/08 @ 6:28 PM PST
Isn't this bright red alert a little over the top? Maybe save it for a school shooting?
Isn't AP style or something to do n-- on racial slurs?
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