Sussex Pride speaks out against juvenile hate crime
DELAWARE – This past weekend in Rehoboth Beach, five juveniles and one adult were arrested on multiple charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, including a Hate Crime.
Early Saturday morning, a Rehoboth Beach police officer was flagged down by 3 women who said a group of juveniles, and a 21-year-old, fired an airsoft gun in their direction. They believed it was due to their perceived sexual orientation. Police say the suspects were later arrested without incident along Coastal Highway, confirming the victims’ beliefs that this indeed was a hate crime.
David Mariner of Sussex Pride says this is a prime example of why young people need to be taught acceptance. “Hate crimes in the past 4 presidential cycles, have increased right at this time, and we need to be vigilant about hate crimes, we need to be vigilant about taking care of each other…. I think it speaks to our need to create spaces in our school systems and in our institutions in Delaware that make it clear that everyone is welcome.”
Police say out of the 6 suspects total, 5 of them were charged with misdemeanors including Disorderly Conduct, Conspiracy in the 3rd degree, offensive touching and hate crime- as well as a felony charge of aggravated menacing. 21-year-old James Charleston, the oldest, was charged with Disorderly Conduct.
David Mariner of Sussex Pride says the organization is against, this type of behavior, but they also are in favor or Restorative Justice, saying too often young people make mistakes – and need to learn from victims. “We believe in creating spaces where folks can understand the impact of their crimes and make meaningful change… To be able to sit down at a table as a survivor and have a conversation with the person who attacked you, about the impact that it had on you, for that person to really think about it, and really make some decision about how they want to engage going forward. Particular for young people, I think that is an important process. I believe, I think we all believe, I hope, that, there is room for them to learn, and grow, and change. That’s why we do the work that we do.”
If you are in need of any assistance or support, David says to be sure and reach out to Sussex Pride.
