WHITE TEENAGER'S FAMILY ISSUES STATEMENT AGAINST THOSE PROMOTING BIGOTRY IN BUS FIGHT

Tomorrow Belleville, Illinois will see Limbaugh’s Rally, the National Socialist Movement’s rally to protest the beating of a white high school student by black teens that is so-named because it was Limbaugh that took it upon himself to make it a racial issue – and part of “Obama’s America” for good measure. We kind of doubt it, but maybe in the future before Limbaugh, Matt Drudge, and the NSM go off on their agenda-driven racial routines, they might want to ask how the white victims they “champion” feel about their support. The family of the teen that was attacked fired off a statement admonishing those who used this incident as a platform for their bigotry. For the record, everyone associated with the incident has said it wasn’t a racial issue, but you can’t tell the right-wing in this country that. They have black people to hate and demean. They have no time for petty things like civility. The rest of us however have yet another light shining on them revealing them for what they are.

stltoday.com

BELLEVILLE — The family of a white teenager beaten by two blacks on a Belleville school bus issued a statement Thursday deploring those who would use the episode to promote bigotry.

Officials who filed aggravated assault charges in juvenile court against two suspects, 14 and 15, have said there is no evidence of a racial motivation in the Sept. 14 incident. But a white supremacist group has cited the case in calling for a rally in Belleville on Saturday.

“At this time, the family of the student who was recently assaulted on a school bus in Belleville would like to express their gratitude for all the concern and support they have received from Belleville West High School, the School District, and members of the local community,” said the statement provided by Dan Raniere, a lawyer for the family.

“In addition, they wish to make it clear that they do not support or condone any individuals or organizations which have used this unfortunate incident to promote racial bigotry and hatred, including a white supremacist group which has scheduled a rally for this weekend.”

Acknowledging that the family has been “inundated and overwhelmed by media requests for information and interviews,” the statement said, “The family does not believe it is in the best interest of their son to participate in any interviews at this time.”

Raniere distributed the unsigned letter, which was on the letterhead of the Weilmuenster and Wigginton law firm.

A surveillance video from the bus, distributed by Belleville police, got national attention. It shows the victim, 17, a student at Belleville west High School, sit next to another teen who after a few moments punches him in the head several times. At one point, the attacker holds the victim by the neck with one hand and hits his face with the other.

A few minutes later, another student is seen arguing with the victim and punching him in the face several times. Afterward, police said, that attacker flashed gang signs. Each time, other students try to stop the violence.

A police spokesman initially suggested publicly that race was a factor but soon recanted, saying it was an emotional reaction to the video.

The National Socialist Movement, a white supremacist group, has vowed a protest to question why hate crime charges were not filed.

But the victim’s family statement expressed hope that “this unfortunate event will lead to some positive and constructive dialogue and actions which will serve to unite, not divide, the community.”