Protest to take place at CMU today regarding nooses

Today's planned protest at Central Michigan University centers around an incident that took place last month in which nooses were found on campus. No doubt, the noose is an extremely provocative symbol that conjures up images of "Night Riders" committing terrorism upon Blackamericans using the tools of rape and murder.

Kudos to the Director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Linda Parker, for addressing this issue in a very firm manner as well as mentioning the acts of Anti-Muslim bigotry that have also taken place on CMU's campus this year as well as the Anti-Native American activity that has taken place there.

*NEWSFLASH* - THE SAME PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE MENTALITY TO HAND NOOSES ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO PROMOTE ANTI-MUSLIM BIGOTRY TO INTIMIDATE STAFF AND STUDENTS. THIS SAME MENTALITY ALSO PROMOTES ANTI-NATIVE AMERICAN SENTIMENTS.

http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews/2007/12/noose_case_protest_set_in_moun.html

Noose case protest set in Mount Pleasant

Posted by LaNIA COLEMAN/THE SAGINAW NEWS
December 05, 2007 08:00AM

MOUNT PLEASANT -- Dissatisfied with Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick's handling of the discovery of four nooses at Central Michigan University, the National Council for Community Empowerment and Council of Baptist Pastors are organizing a demonstration in Mount Pleasant.

The "Rally for Justice" is planned for noon Friday at the Isabella County prosecutor's office, 200 N. Main.

Officials at the prosecutor's office and CMU were not immediately available for comment.

Buses will leave from Pontiac, Ypsilanti, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Flint, said the Rev. Charles E. Williams II, president of the community empowerment group.

A student found the hangman's nooses fashioned out of flexible tubing Nov. 12 in Room 228 of the Engineering and Technology Building.

Students responded five days later with a rally to protest hate crimes.

After the rally, a student admitted to playing a role in hanging the nooses as a prank.
Burdick has said his office is investigating the possible ethnic intimidation case.

Prosecutors reviewed the campus police's 66-page report and Friday asked investigators for additional information.

FBI officials also are working on the case.

"After meeting with Prosecutor Burdick on Nov. 26, the National Council for Community Empowerment, accompanied by two CMU students, left distraught and unsatisfied," Williams, of Detroit, said in a written statement released Tuesday.(MORE)