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Racist attack!!!
Publication date: 08/08/2002
Racial attack at SFPD?
BY RICHARD BYRNE REILLY
Of The Examiner Staff
In what appears to be a racially motivated attack, three watermelons were delivered to the office of Police Chief Earl Sanders last Thursday by a woman who spoke little English and likely was unaware of the racial significance, The Examiner has learned.
"She was allegedly paid by somebody, we don't know who, to deliver the watermelons," said Sgt. G. Williams of the department's Investigative Division. "She was asked who paid her but she couldn't, or wouldn't, say."
Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans. Officers of the department expressed outrage, saying the incident strove to sow racial discord in an already tension-filled department attempting to rebuild its image in the wake of former chief Fred Lau's departure in July.
"This is very, very disturbing," said a black police inspector who asked to remain anonymous.
At Wednesday's police commission meeting, new Police Chief Earl Sanders, who is black, and Assistant Chief Alex Fagan, who is white, acknowledged the watermelon delivery but sought to play down the incident.
"Here's the bottom line: the watermelons were delivered by an Asian lady with a shopping cart last Thursday. The gift was sent anonymously and we had them returned. If anybody took offense, I haven't noticed," Fagan said.
He added there was no investigation planned and that the incident was "dead in the water."
"Brutal, absolutely brutal. I can't believe somebody would do something like that, in this city," another cop said.
Williams called the watermelon delivery a racist act and said he hopes the perpetrator is exposed. He said he had no idea who set the woman up but that some on the force would be looking into the issue
Racial attack at SFPD?
BY RICHARD BYRNE REILLY
Of The Examiner Staff
In what appears to be a racially motivated attack, three watermelons were delivered to the office of Police Chief Earl Sanders last Thursday by a woman who spoke little English and likely was unaware of the racial significance, The Examiner has learned.
"She was allegedly paid by somebody, we don't know who, to deliver the watermelons," said Sgt. G. Williams of the department's Investigative Division. "She was asked who paid her but she couldn't, or wouldn't, say."
Watermelons have been used since the 19th century as racist tools against black Americans. Officers of the department expressed outrage, saying the incident strove to sow racial discord in an already tension-filled department attempting to rebuild its image in the wake of former chief Fred Lau's departure in July.
"This is very, very disturbing," said a black police inspector who asked to remain anonymous.
At Wednesday's police commission meeting, new Police Chief Earl Sanders, who is black, and Assistant Chief Alex Fagan, who is white, acknowledged the watermelon delivery but sought to play down the incident.
"Here's the bottom line: the watermelons were delivered by an Asian lady with a shopping cart last Thursday. The gift was sent anonymously and we had them returned. If anybody took offense, I haven't noticed," Fagan said.
He added there was no investigation planned and that the incident was "dead in the water."
"Brutal, absolutely brutal. I can't believe somebody would do something like that, in this city," another cop said.
Williams called the watermelon delivery a racist act and said he hopes the perpetrator is exposed. He said he had no idea who set the woman up but that some on the force would be looking into the issue
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