Nationwide — A brutal assault on Michael Robinson, an 18-year-old Black teenager from Simi Valley, California, has sparked outrage and calls for for hate crime costs after cellphone footage confirmed a number of white teenagers chasing, beating, and hurling racial slurs at him. The incident passed off round 11 p.m. on August 1 outdoors a Regal Cinemas theater and left 18-year-old Michael Robinson with a concussion, cuts, bruises, and a chipped tooth. Police say Robinson’s good friend, additionally 18 and white, was initially focused, however the attackers rapidly turned their consideration to Robinson, slamming him onto a automotive hood, shoving his head right into a trash can, and putting him repeatedly at the back of the top.
Video of the assault, which has gone viral, exhibits Robinson attempting to defend himself with a chair as his assailants encompass him and scream racial profanities. Robinson says he didn’t know the teenagers however believes they focused him due to his race. “Actually, I believed I used to be going to die,” he instructed KTTV, including that repeated blows to the again of the top left him fearing critical mind damage. His legal professional, Jamal Tooson, says the racial slurs caught on digicam make it “crystal clear” that the assault was racially motivated.
In response to Atlanta Information First, 4 white teenagers have been arrested and cited for battery earlier than being launched to their mother and father. One among them is the son of a Simi Valley police officer, although officers say that officer will not be concerned within the investigation. The choice to launch the suspects with out holding them in custody — and to withhold their names — has fueled criticism from neighborhood members, who argue the dealing with of the case exhibits a double commonplace.
Residents packed a latest Simi Valley Metropolis Council assembly to demand the Ventura County District Lawyer pursue hate crime costs. “He was chased down, jumped, and mocked for the colour of his pores and skin,” mentioned Robinson’s good friend, Jared Jasson. “This wasn’t a struggle. It was a hate-driven assault.” Avery Estelle, president of Simi Valley Excessive Faculty’s Black Scholar Union, mentioned the neighborhood’s response could be far completely different if the racial roles had been reversed, warning that ignoring the assault sends the message that racism is tolerated.
Police Chief Steve Shorts has acknowledged the assault as “undoubtedly a hate incident” however says the choice on hate crime costs rests with the district legal professional’s workplace. As of now, prosecutors haven’t introduced whether or not they may improve the costs. The police investigation stays ongoing.
Regardless of the brutality of the assault, Robinson says he forgives these concerned however insists they should be held accountable. “I don’t hate these children. I pity them,” he mentioned. “What they only did was sick, it was evil, and it was not proper. However there are penalties to your actions.”
