Radio Personality Calls for March After Hate Crime
Nationally syndicated radio host Mike Gallagher is planning a march on Saturday to show support for the North Arlington couple who were victims of several recent racially motivated crimes.
On December 19, Silk Littlejohn and her fiancee Broderick Gamble say they were in the front yard of the home they are rebuilding in North Arlington. They lost their home to a fire two years ago, only two days after moving in. Grace Head, 66, who lives a few streets away, came by while walking her dog. They say Head approached them and told them they could not live in the neighborhood because they are Black. They say she used racial slurs and profanity during their encounter and then picked up a 2×4 from their lawn and hit Littlejohn in the face, then turned her hostility to their car.
Head was arrested in connection with the attack and charged with criminal mischief for the assault. She bonded out and was arrested a second time after damage to the car was found to be enough for felony charges. The crimes have been referred to the Tarrant County District Attorney as hate crimes, as they were clearly racially motivated, say police. She is out of jail on bond now.
Two days after the attacks, the couple found the words “Kill” and “Die N*****” spray painted on their garage door of the home. The grafitti has remained on the door for two weeks now. Although the city offered to remove it, Gamble refused. He said he didn’t want them painted over, he wanted them replaced. Some neighbors say leaving the grafitti up has just incited more furor.
Radio host Gallagher pledged $500 toward the door and will be asking his listeners to help on his show on KSKY 600 AM, from 6:00 am to 9:00 am this morning. The doors have been purchased from The Home Depot and plans are being made to have them installed.
The mayor, the police chief and other city officials held a press conference yesterday and condemned the attacks. A town hall meeting was held at Wimbish Elementary to listen to the concerns of residents in the North Arlington neighborhood where Littlejohn and Gamble reside. The meeting, scheduled for 7:00 pm, was full by 6:40 pm and over 100 people rallied outside after they couldn’t get in.
Anyone with information about the grafitti that was painted on the home in the 700 block of Ross Trail is asked to call Sgt. Tony Molina at (817) 459-5569 or Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-8477.
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January 7th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I truly think this Hate Crime should be investigated further before the march is organized.
The individuals reporting this claim have been rumored to have scammed many individuals in the DFW area and be the cause of many verbal and physical altercations with all races. More black on black than anything.
Not saying that the 66 yr old woman was right with her actions but, what lead up to the attack? Was it self defense? What are the odds of an older white woman, alone having the guts to walk up to a very strong confrontational woman such as Silk? Was she set up? Who truly started the confrontation? Many people have been known to attack the car. Where are the wittness’s? Could they have sprayed it themselves to ensure a quick claim? will a civil suit be filed?
Should the march be organized after the trial if the woman isn’t charged to the fullest term and fines?
Do we know if everyone in the neighborhood felt the same way as one neighbor?
Did she live in the neighborhood 2 yrs ago? If so, why the problems now? Are there any other blacks in the neighborhood whom have experienced problems? How long did the home sit unattended after the fire?
One needs to ask if one is looking for attention or there is potential for financial gain before a march is organized.
Marches should only be conducted and organized if its fact based. Who’s the offender? Is it a clear cut scenario or is it “he said she said.”
Black Americans need to make sure that our attempts to organize and demonstrate is not wasted on an individuals need for attention.
Look at a claimants history and credibility before we as a race are made fools of in front of what we’re fighting against.
THINK !!!!
It saddens me to have to write this post but the Black Race learned how to beat the system by watching the white man get away with it since the beginning of American History. However, it doesn’t make it right.
Concerned Reader
March 20th, 2008 at 2:15 am
You’re right, Concerned Reader. You made many salient points which merit further attention by the media. There’s more to this story than meets the eye. However, behind the scenes both shake-down artist, Gamble ad Littlejohn, are being investigated. Our righteous brothas and sistas easily see through this typical shake-down ruse.