Police Investigate Report of Racial Harassment in Salem Mall

The man receiving the harassment apparently grew tired of it, and punched one of the white males in the face.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police are investigating a bizarre incident at the Salem Center Mall Friday evening, that may have been racially motivated. A Salem-News.com employee was standing in a line at the mall's food court around 6:00 PM when a pair of white adults approached a lone black male adult in line.

The two white males who were described as "redneck" in appearance, walked up to the African American man and apparently began to harass him. This reportedly involved physically contacting the man and knocking the hat off of his head and our employee thought they heard the two white men refer to the man they were harassing as "boy".

A limited number of shoppers were immediately present in the area where this happened, and it is described as lasting about a minute. Although we do not know who the black male was, he appeared to have a woman and small child waiting for him at one of the tables in the mall's food court.

Based on the report we received, the man receiving the harassment grew tired of it within a minute or so, punched one of the white males in the face, effectively ending what appeared to be racial harassment.

Our employee who was off the clock at the time, watched all three men escorted from the mall by what appeared to be, a mall security guard.

The Salem Center Mall did not return calls to Salem-News.com over the weekend, but their security team did tell a Salem Police officer investigating the report that they did not recall a racial incident over the weekend.

Salem Police say they are investigating and did not drop their interest over the statement from the mall security officers who said they were unaware of what had happened.

If you know the individual who received the harassment, we would appreciate hearing from him. The police would also like to speak with this gentleman. Their non emergency number for reporting crimes is 503 588-6123. We can be reached at newsroom@salem-news.com.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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Henry Clay Ruark April 29, 2008 1:02 pm (Pacific time)

To all: See my Comments re interview tape done in Chicago showing racism as psychotic symptom. Comments are under One Billion story above.

Henry Ruark April 28, 2008 4:00 pm (Pacific time)

To all: Short-form documentation for my previous Comment: "What the people want is very simple - they want an America as good as its promise": Barbara Jordan "We Americans have no commission from God to police the world": Benjamin Harrison, address to Congress, 1888

Henry Ruark April 28, 2008 12:08 pm (Pacific time)

To all: "Anon" here is cowardly cover for provocative words which distort/pervert fact of matter, to create much larger danger than most comprehend. In 21st Century anyone who clings to mythical foundation for racist attitude is either "woefully misinformed" or is seeking solace in psychotic denial -take your choice - and due for legal confinement when such symptoms appear. Comment is intentional act to further focus attention at time when enough of such can cause, again, same damaging racial flames we felt in '60s and continuing, despite blood and huge costs of Civil War. Thus it is currently far more destructive, potentially damaging, and extremely endangering to social peace and proper democratic order. For those more rational and open to reasonable record of scientific evidence built up over literally centuries, it behooves us to "educate" all who still suffer from such psychotic refusal to control self; and if necessary reinforce that learning process by force of law, as Constitutionally required. Confinement for psychotic dangers demonstrated is one possible consequence. Such action currently is far from trivial, and S-N story is completely demanded, again as example of true media role to inform, guide demanded action by responsible citizens. If you have any information make sure police and S-N are recipient of it rapidly. The riot you may prevent that way might possibly occur more rapidly if you do not so act. I speak from similar Chicago experience; that one cost 30 lives and some millions in dollar damage, not counting attitudes-built and still more deep resentments sure to cost more of both, especially if triggered NOW in current critical situation nationally. This is now "loaded gun" in national consciousness, and should surely be so treated by all rational citizens.

M. Elliott April 28, 2008 11:42 am (Pacific time)

I am sorry to learn of this and I think the mall should be responsible and return phone calls to reporters, how unprofessional when a serious subject is at hand, shocking. Good to know Salem PD was responsible about it.

Anonymous April 28, 2008 10:30 am (Pacific time)

This seems pretty trivial, especially when you crunch the numbers as who causes most of the interracial thuggery. But then I am a white racist.

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