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Main Forums => Politics => Topic started by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 18, 2010, 12:46:31 PM

Title: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 18, 2010, 12:46:31 PM
WTF?  Over.

Bias crime.  Bias intimidation crime??  When did bad taste, bad prank become a crime?  I'm at a loss for words for; bias intimidation crime.



'All black people' told to leave NJ Wal-Mart

Staff Reporter | Posted March 18, 2010 11:39 AM
Imagine this. You're shopping at your neighborhood Wal-Mart store Sunday afternoon when you hear a voice on the P.A. system.
"Attention Wal-Mart customers: All black people leave the store now."

Sounds like a scene from apartheid South Africa or the pre-civil rights era segregated south. But it's actually what happened last Sunday at the Turnersville, New Jersey, Wal-Mart Supercenter Store.

Blacks complained to management, who in turn contacted the local police department in Washington Township. Police then opened an investigation with the county prosecutor's office. "The incident is being investigated by both law enforcement agencies as a suspected bias intimidation crime," officials told the press.

And the corporate office of Wal-Mart wasn't happy about the story or the negative publicity either. Wal-Mart is "just as appalled by this as anyone," a spokesman said. The company also described the incident as "unacceptable to us and to our customers" and said it was "reviewing our systems to prevent this from happening in the future.:

Now two black South Jersey women are boycotting Wal-Mart, while the company says they're still trying to figure out who made the announcement.

Patricia Covington and Shelia Ellington told reporters they're too upset to shop at the store again. "In 2010, I want to know why such statements are being made because it flies in the face of what we teach them at home, and that's tolerance for people," Ellington told the press.

Following the incident, a public apology was made Sunday evening on the same public address system.

The 24-hour superstore reportedly employees about 700 workers, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

James E. Harris, president of the New Jersey NAACP Conference told reporters that the incident underscores the need for more racial reconciliation. "Whether it was a prank or whether it was serious, the level of insensitivity is apparent and is a reminder there's still a need for people to work toward decency and equality," he said.


Articles written by a Staff Reporter are unsigned reports from a member of the staff.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Fjolnirsson on March 18, 2010, 02:11:27 PM
OMG. Get the Hell over it, people. Walmart is investigating, the police are investigating(though I don't see any reason they should be), and these two women are so upset they won't go back? Anyone can pick up the phone, and make an intercom announcement. It was likely some 15 year old ex employee trying to be funny.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 18, 2010, 02:16:13 PM
I can't believe the police are investigating this as a crime. What crime?  Where was there a crime?  Other that tender little feelings being hurt. And this made CNN. Good Fn grief.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: RoadKingLarry on March 18, 2010, 02:31:23 PM
Signs of things to come [tinfoil].
Next it iwll be pre-crime and thought police.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Jamisjockey on March 18, 2010, 03:07:44 PM
Signs of things to come [tinfoil].
Next it iwll be pre-crime and thought police.

It already is.  Possession with intent to distribute: Precrime
Possession of burglary tools:  precrime
Hate crimes:  thought police.
Cyberbullying: thought police.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: MechAg94 on March 18, 2010, 04:33:17 PM
Some were saying that they used the microphone in the manager's office, but I was thinking you could do it from any of those store phones throughout the store.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Fjolnirsson on March 18, 2010, 05:25:31 PM
Some were saying that they used the microphone in the manager's office, but I was thinking you could do it from any of those store phones throughout the store.

Yes, you can. I've done it before, when I can't find an employee.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: HankB on March 18, 2010, 05:29:10 PM
I remember some years back when looking for help at the WalMart sporting goods counter, another customer picked up the phone and made an announcement over the PA system asking that a manager report to sporting goods. I'd guess there's a code you can key into the phone to do so.

Edited to add: I'm having a hard time coming up with an actual crime here; boorish behavior that hurts nothing but feelings hasn't been criminalized yet, has it?
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Jamisjockey on March 18, 2010, 06:11:16 PM
I remember some years back when looking for help at the WalMart sporting goods counter, another customer picked up the phone and made an announcement over the PA system asking that a manager report to sporting goods. I'd guess there's a code you can key into the phone to do so.

I cannot confirm nor deny that intercom instructions are  right on the phones in many a walmart.   >:D


This story makes me  go :facepalm:  WalMart should banish the offender.  The DA that wants to press charges should be kicked in the dangly bits.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Perd Hapley on March 18, 2010, 06:13:14 PM
I can't believe the police are investigating this as a crime. What crime?  Where was there a crime? 


Could it have been a crime against the store, given that their personal property was misappropriated to hurt their business? 
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: kgbsquirrel on March 19, 2010, 12:14:43 AM

Could it have been a crime against the store, given that their personal property was misappropriated to hurt their business? 

I was trying to think of what actual sort of crime could be applied in this case. Best I could come up with is malicious mischief or perhaps a greatly stretched definition of trespassing. Anyone else do any better?
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: sanglant on March 19, 2010, 01:40:14 AM
am i just out of it, or have i seen wireless setups for the manager(s?) to use the intercom in some walmarts?  ??? i could have sworn i have(had?) [tinfoil]
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 19, 2010, 02:31:51 AM
I don't think so. My wife used to be an associate mgr with WM. The wireless radios are walkie-talkies and are used as such.

Yet any phone at a point of sale can intercom page.

I still cannot come up with a crime here
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Stand_watie on March 19, 2010, 04:36:33 AM
Yes, you can. I've done it before, when I can't find an employee.

     What do you have against black people? Did the police investigate?


















 =D
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 20, 2010, 08:33:45 AM

Well. The idiocy continues. An arrest ( for what crime is not listed) was made in this "bias incident". 

http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=215708.proteus.fma

Arrest in Walmart 'All Black People' Case
Mar 20, 2010 8:58 AM EDT
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. - Police say they have made an arrest in the case of a racial comment being made over the public-address system at a Walmart store in southern New Jersey.

The Washington Township Police Department said on its Web site early Saturday that an arrest has been made in a "bias incident" at the retail store. The posting says the police and Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office will announce the arrest at a midday news conference.

Washington Township Police declined to comment early Saturday.

A male voice came over the Walmart public address system Sunday evening and calmly announced: "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now." The announcement provoked an immediate apology from the store manager.

Officials for Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said the announcement was "unacceptable."
Title: hope it's late enough not to kill the thread, i tried to wait. :D
Post by: sanglant on March 20, 2010, 04:17:45 PM
hmm, jackson or sharpton trying to stir up some bidness? =D arrested for inciting a riot? [popcorn]
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: grampster on March 20, 2010, 05:09:51 PM
16 year old kid is the villain.  Crucify him, crucify him, crucify him...... :facepalm:
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: taurusowner on March 20, 2010, 10:27:25 PM
Well, we opened the door to this with supposed "hate crimes".  The moment we allowed the prosecution of crimes to go forward based on someone's emotions, we set this kind of thing in motion.  And it will only get worse.  With the wrong people in charge, such as the ones running the country now, look forward to having all sorts of speech and even thought regulated under the guise of "protecting diversity" and "zero tolerance for hate".
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: zxcvbob on March 20, 2010, 10:36:31 PM
What crime?  (He didn't even say "niggers".)  I can't believe anyone was actually intimidated by a teenage voice saying "black people"  :facepalm:  I'm not sure who needs to grow up more.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Inor on March 21, 2010, 12:01:41 AM
I cannot go to Walmart anymore either.  I am "too upset" to shop there after going to the web site: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com (http://www.peopleofwalmart.com).  That is far more disturbing than anything the kid said, and they have pictures to prove it!
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: never_retreat on March 21, 2010, 11:13:57 PM
I've picked up a phone at the walmart sporting goods counter my self to get a manager to come over
This was after I had to ask 3 other people to get a manager.

Instructions
Pick up phone
Press button labeled page
speak
hang up phone
Done

I also gotten bitched at for driving a forklift at home depot.
Same thing asked 3 people to get a bundle of plywood off the top shelf, did it my self.
And yes I carry common equipment keys with me at all times. (preparedness at its finest)
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Cromlech on March 22, 2010, 06:38:30 AM
It's funny that you mention that, as the key for our Reach Truck also works in the Cardboard Compactor.

 edit - back on topic, I really don't know why the Police can't just give the kid a slap on the wrist, a verbal caution, and then that Walmart can ban him from the store if they see fit. A 16 year old kid being stupid and verbally offensive is not worth all this legal hassle.
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: HankB on March 22, 2010, 08:29:36 AM
. . . An arrest ( for what crime is not listed) was made . . .
Since there was an arrest, are there any updates on what criminal offense was committed?
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Battle Monkey of Zardoz on March 22, 2010, 09:28:19 AM
Quote
The suspect was arrested Friday in Atlantic County on bias intimidation and harassment charges, police said in a statement Saturday. He is in custody of his parents, police said
.



From: 
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/20/walmart.racial.remark/index.html   
Title: Re: Bias intimidation crime
Post by: Tallpine on March 22, 2010, 11:14:34 AM
So what would be the uproar if he had asked all blonde people to leave the store?  =|