Date: Wed, 30 Nov 1994 07:39:16 -0500 (GMT-0500) From: "Thomas W. Holt Jr." Subject: Mississippi Activists Threatened (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 29 Nov 1994 18:48:47 -0500 From: Babngltf@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: Mississippi Activists Threatened *************************************************National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Gregory Fisher (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309 (800) 757-7736 pager Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ************************************************* MISSISSIPPI ACTIVISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS NGLTF Resounds a Call For Justice to DOJ Washington, D.C. -- November 29, 1994 -- Tensions continue to mount in the central Mississippi community rocked by the double murder of two gay men. After a brief investigation leading to the confession of a 16 year-old boy, shock reverberated throughout the AIDS and civil rights activist community when it became clear that posthumous HIV antibody tests would be conducted on the two victims. Finally, this week two key activist involved in the case reported receiving several death threats. In response, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), with no confidence in local authorities, resounded the call for federal intervention. According to April Richards, president of G.L. Friendly, a gay and lesbian community service organization in Biloxi, Mississippi, she and group founder Todd Emerson received death threats by phone due to their continuing involvement in the case. Harassers also threatened both of Emerson's children, prompting Emerson to distance himself from further involvement in the murder case. Richards and Emerson have been critical of the local investigation and have worked to draw national attention to the situation. In a letter sent today to Attorney General Janet Reno, NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic again requested intervention by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Radecic raised questions still unanswered by the local investigation and expressed her outrage at the decision to allow posthumous HIV testing. Citing the atmosphere of violence and the real threat to the lives of Richards and Emerson, Radecic highlighted the fear of Mississippi activists whose involvement in the case has made them targets. Radecic has called for DOJ intervention including a thorough investigation by the FBI. "The situation in Mississippi is explosive and I believe it requires Department of Justice intervention," said Radecic. Threats against Richards and Emerson followed almost two months of activist outrage over the discrepancies in the case as presented by the Jones County Sheriff's Department. Five days after the murder, the agents arrested Marvin McClendon, a 16 year-old African American boy in connection with the murders. After McClendon's confession without the presence of a parent or an attorney, the sheriff's department presented four separate versions of the events of the murder ranging from robbery to attempted rape. In addition to the many unanswered questions, doubt still lingers over the ability of Jones County law enforcement to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation. Several officers, including Sheriff Maurice Hooks, made homophobic comments regarding the October murder investigation and harassment against Camp Sister Spirit, a lesbian-feminist retreat also in Jones County. The apparent lack of commitment to prosecute acts of harassment against Camp Sister Spirit is also a cause for concern. According to Brenda and Wanda Henson, camp co-founders, of the approximately 100 acts of violence and harassment reported against Camp Sister Spirit, only one has resulted in even a minor arrest. In an unprecedented decision, Circuit Court Judge Billy Joe Landrum agreed to allow HIV testing of the two murder victims. Activists fear that positive results could lead to a case dismissal on the grounds of "justifiable homicide." Landrum has not yet determined if he will allow the results in court. Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, working in conjunction with anti-violence projects New York and Los Angeles, is working to dissuade Landrum from admitting the evidence. Not only is testing irrelevant to the case and questionable under privacy policies, they argue, but if allowed, admission of the results could set a precedent that threatens the civil rights and safety of people infected with the AIDS virus. "If the case is dismissed because of the HIV status of the victims, then killing someone with HIV, or someone who is presumed to be HIV positive, would not only be acceptable but excusable by law," Radecic said in her letter to Reno. NGLTF has sponsored a "Call For Justice" hotline for activists wishing to send a telegram to Janet Reno demanding federal intervention. By calling 1-800-651-1417, for a small fee ($6.50) , individuals may speak to an operator who will add their name and address to a letter urging Reno to intervene in the matter and to further address the rising tide of anti-gay/lesbian murders across the country. Activists are also encouraged to send letters to Reno and Mississippi Governor Kirk Fordice by regular mail. NGLTF continues to support the work of local activists through coalition work with other national groups, G.L. Friendly in Biloxi, Mississippi and Southerners On New Ground (SONG), an alliance building project connecting issues of race, class, gender and sexual orientation. NGLTF previously requested DOJ intervention on October 10 and sent two anti-violence specialists to Laurel, Mississippi to assist local activists. --end--