Oakland, Calif., launches hate crime investigation after finding nooses
The city of Oakland, California, has launched a hate crime investigation after finding several nooses at a city park, Mayor Libby Schaaf announced Wednesday.
During a press conference, Schaaf said the nooses were found late Tuesday on about five different trees at Lake Merritt east of the downtown area.
The nooses have been removed.
“These have no place in our city at any time but especially at this time,” Schaaf said.
Johnna Watson, a spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department, told USA TODAY in a statement that several community members have reported the nooses were used as exercise equipment.
“One community member claimed ownership of the ropes and stated that he intentionally placed the ropes on the tree limbs for exercise and games several months ago,” the statement said.
“We remind and ask our community to be mindful when using this equipment in a recreational manner. These acts may send an unintended message,” Watson added.
Schaaf called the incident “unacceptable.”
“We all are responsible for knowing the history and present day reality of lynchings, hate crimes and racial violence. Objects that invoke such terror will not be tolerated in Oakland's public spaces,” Schaaf said on Twitter.
The discovery of the nooses comes after the death of two Black men who were found hanging from trees in California and amid nationwide protests against racial bias and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25.
In Palmdale, Robert Fuller was found hanging from a tree across the street from City Hall on June 10.
Authorities initially ruled his death as a suicide but are now taking a deeper look after residents took to the street in protest.
About 50 miles east of Palmdale, Malcolm Harsch was found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville.
More than 40,000 people have signed an online petition as of Wednesday afternoon, requesting a thorough investigation.
“One community member claimed ownership of the ropes and stated that he intentionally placed the ropes on the tree limbs for exercise and games several months ago.”
Johnna Watson, spokesperson for the Oakland Police Department