Ethnic background relations between Anglos and the Navajo in Farmington, N.M., is in a rugged place again, and a horrifying swastika-branding incident is to blame. According to Associated Press, the three white men attacked (after allegedly kidnapping) a mentally disabled 22-year-old Navajo man. They shaped a coat hanger into a swastika, warmed it on a stove and branded the symbol to the Navajo man’s arm. This might give authorities the 1st chance to examination the nation’s expanded hate crime legislations.
Not just Swastika-branding harm
The males did more than just swastika-branding based on Farmington authorities. The Navajo man's body had messages such as "KKK," "White Power" and a picture of a penis written on him in marker too. Apparently the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act did not stop the three males from offending. The offenders could face 10 years in prison if convicted. The sentence might be extended to life if the government can prove kidnapping was involved in the swastika-branding incident.
Assisting using the hate crimes legislations being changed
The victim wouldn't have been able to charge for hate crimes using the original U.S. law on hate crimes. It required the victim be in some kind of federally protected activity like attending school or voting. There were modifications in the legislations due to the Matthew Shepard Act, or the long version as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. In fact, since then, there have been no other crimes besides this Farmington swastika-branding incident. Violence due to gender, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity are now not lawful to do. The civil rights of people are protected.
Pact to improve ethnic background relationships
In Farmington City Hall this month, Farmington leaders and elders from the Navajo Nation got together to sign a pledge that would promise both sides to work better for a relationship between the two. There is a ton of conflict within the history of Farmington between the white city and the Navajo.
Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission Chairman Duane "Chili" Yazzie recognized that only through education will violence be quelled. Farmington Mayor Tommy Roberts said that while "there will always be individuals who just do not get it," the overall climate of ethnic background relationships can change over time.
Info from
Star Tribune
startribune.com/nation/110996299.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiacyKUzyaP37D_ncyD_2yckUr
Media coverage when the swastika-branding first occurred
youtube.com/watch?v=MSrML53oY9w
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