Boy in Calabasas Target of Hate Crime
Posted on Nov 26, 2009 2:03pm PST
Authorities in Calabasas, California are claiming that a 12 year old boy was assaulted as part of a
hate crime. According to police, the minor was attacked by his fellow middle school students because he had red hair.
The assault took place at A.E. Wright Middle School. Police say that up to 14 middle school students attacked the 12 year old. They also say that there had been a Facebook message posted last Friday announcing "Kick a Ginger Day", which may have lead the students to attack. Even though the message was posted and the assault followed, police say that it is not enough to warrant hate crime charges.
Lieutenant Scoot Chew of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that the incident does not meet the criteria of a hate crime. He told reporters the incident, "doesn't apply".
The term "ginger" refers to people with red hair, freckles and light skin. In 2005, the term became popular after being used in an episode of South Park. During the episode, main characters picked on "gingers" at their school.
The boy's name has not been released because he is a minor. However, it has been revealed that he was kicked and hit repeatedly with fists all over his body. He was injured, but not severely. Presently, there have been no arrests made, but police are conducting investigations.
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