Cross Burned On Obama Supporters' Lawn

A family who had supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign emerged from their home in the northwestern New Jersey town of Hardwick Thursday morning to find the charred remnants of a 6-foot wooden cross on their front lawn.

Pieces of a homemade bedsheet banner reading "President Obama , Victory '08," which had been stolen from the yard the night before, also were found, leading investigators to believe the banner had been wrapped around the cross before it was set afire. Lt. Gerald Lewis of the New Jersey State Police said his agency is treating the incident as a bias crime.

Police believe the cross, made of two-by-fours bolted to a metal pole like those used to support road signs, was placed on the lawn sometime between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., and fell over after being set on fire. Homeowner Gary Grewal said he had noticed the Obama banner missing from his lawn the night before and reported it to police.

Grewal said his 8-year-old daughter, Arianna, spotted the banner wrapped around the burnt cross as they walked toward their car to drive to school. "She saw it, that's what bothered me the most," Grewal said Thursday. "You can imagine the types of questions she was asking. It was very tough to explain."

Comments

[NYSuee]

A similar incident occurred near my home. I have met these people purchased pottery from them. They are a wonderful couple who do not deserve this type of hate. I hope they find the perpetrators and serve them a big plate of justice. I'm sure they will - racists eventually brag about thier crimes to someone.


http://pressconnects.com/article/20081107/NEWS01/811070334&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

[RobinLandseadel]

This just sends me back to the days when my parents were working with C.O.R.E. and got threats like these.

When are we, as a nation, going to grow up?

[Icantbelieveher]

And this is from the moral majority? More like the immoral minority! This is small mindedness at its best.

I'm so glad this kind of ra cism is in the minority now!!!

[cornagainstsorcery]

Jerks.

[loax]

Punks. That is what they are!

[wedgie]

The incoming Justice Department might just take an interest in this.

Man, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of THAT investigation.

**

[mjb5406]

I think that the punishment for this type of crime needs to be severe. I don't think that the perpetrators of hate crimes are given enough disincentive; maybe if they knew that the minimum punishment for being found guilty of hate crimes is a stint in the Federal SuperMax facility in Colorado. Maybe then they would think twice... of course, then again, most of them are so incredibly stupid that they wouldn't realize what that meant.

[rbryanh]

When it comes to hatred, hope is a better antidote than outrage. Don't shield children from unpleasant realities - show by your own example how to roll with the punches.

This would be a fine time for Mr. Grewal's neighbors to a) cheerfully help him clean up his lawn and b) gift him a flowering tree to plant in the ashes. Intolerance quickly burns itself out; trees bloom year after year.

[jOke]

wow.. i love your message.. saved it.

[Zenomi]

Very nice.

[Isabellaspeaks]

I love that! Maybe we should start a fund and plant the medians along the expressways or maybe start a whole forest and dedicate it to those who have and still work hard at over riding these oppressive and useless attitudes.

[MelRoy]

Whoever did this lives in the darkness. This nation will heal with or without them.

[NationalTreasure]

the GOP is the party of darkness and hatred

[CharlesJ]

This needs to be investigated to the fullest and if it is discovered who did this, they need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is a sad sick thing to be happening and those guilty need to be punished severely.

[formerprosecutor]

Imagine the residual fear that leaves with you . "What will happen next ? Are they really crazy or just having 15 minutes of fame ? will they hurt my pet ?My children ? How can I sleep well knowing they might be back ? I was sitting at home minding my business; I didn't do anything to these people. They are full of hate ; I am scared, my family is scared." This si why the hate crime statutes were necessary; a simple misd. vandalism does not cover this damage to a family.

[Fitzy]

It's difficult to believe that some people are so hateful.

[NWBrunette]

The republican party has been fanning their flames for decades - did you not notice the Palin rallies?

[settlein]

Many people around the world and country are sending powerful light and prayers around Obama and his family. Such is needed. While we are one nation and one people there is a history of violence, intolerance rampant in this country -- it's called the sick side of America.

Intelligence says the election was not about race, gender, or skin color. Any thinking, intelligent, caring individual would have to stand tall and look at the shape of America -- the wars, the arrogance, the economy and the impact around the world -- would one want more of the same or change.

It's about change for thinking, intelligent folks. This is a new day for the young people. So the cross burnings and anything that reflects the old is just not making it anymore. It is not Obama who is making the statement for change it is the last 8- years of arrogance, greed, sleep walking, imperialism and utopian thinking that means change is the mandate.

America is a part of the world, not above or beyond all other peoples in the world.

[neurologymatters]

To the Grewal family- Your poor family witnessing hate. Maybe the person(s) who committed this hate crime will be given an extra charge-stolen state property. I hope everyone co-operates with you and your family.

[Val49]

And don't forget religious, evangelicals, PLEASE