Local news outlets reported a hate crime when they received photos and videos of a burning cross next to a campaign sign defaced with the n-word in red spray paint. The sign belonged to mayoral candidate Yemi Mobolade, a native Nigerian, according to National Review.
The US Attorney’s Office proceeded to charge three Colorado Springs activists with using instruments of interstate commerce to convey false information and “intimidate someone by means of fire” — the trio was charged with a race hoax.
The charge comes nearly eight months after the hoax went viral in Colorado Springs.
An email sent to local news outlets attached videos and pictures of the incident and said, “What has this city come to?!” The email was signed by “Citizens of Colorado Springs,” which claimed the incident was “another one of their tactics to keep [the liberal candidate] out.”
The email opined that the racist message was done by supporters of the conservative candidate, Wayne Williams.
“Candidate Wayne Williams is pushing hard to win this candidacy and I’m completely appalled by how his following and members are carrying out this nonsense,” the email continued.
Local TV news outlets ran the video and ignited pushback from vocal activist groups who assumed the reports were true.
For example, the Colorado Springs NAACP president said she saw the message as an attempt to intimidate voters.
“We don’t take this as a hoax,” she told a local news reporter.
The Attorney General concluded that Derrick Bernard Jr, 35, Ashley Danielle Blackcloud, 40, and Deanna Crystal West, 38, conspired to stage a phony hate crime and alerted the media to prop up the liberal candidate’s campaign.
Bernard reportedly communicated with the candidate several times before and after the election seemingly asking for favors for the actions taken to prop up his campaign.
