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No charges in case of threats against American Indian at U of Illinois
By DAVID MERCER, Associated Press Writer
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) --- Charges will not be filed against University of Illinois students accused of threatening an American Indian student on a Web page devoted to the school's Chief Illiniwek mascot, police and a prosecutor said Monday.
University police investigating the threats made late last year on a Web page dedicated to the mascot on the social-networking Web site Facebook had earlier this month asked the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office to evaluate the case.
"Our opinion is there are no charges to be filed," State's Attorney Julia Rietz said.
One posting on the Chief Illiniwek-related Web page included a posting that read "I say we throw a tomohawk into her face," in reference to the American Indian student.
To merit criminal charges, such a threat would have to have been made directly to the student -- via an e-mail message to her, for instance -- rather than in a forum that amounts to conversation, Rietz said.
Facebook is restricted to users with university e-mail addresses.
The students who made the posts still face possible discipline through the university, Assistant Chief of Police Jeffrey Christensen said.
Citing student confidentiality, Dean of Students William Riley would only say that the cases had been referred to a discipline committee made up of faculty and students. The committee, he said, "would have heard it by now and rendered its findings."
The school has said at least three students are believed to have been involved but hasn't identified them.
In addition to the reference to the American Indian student, at least one other student wrote on the Facebook page that "... i hate redskins and hope all those drunk casino owning bums die."
The page, before it was taken off line, was titled "If They Get Rid of the Chief I'm Becoming a Racist."
Another Facebook page, "The Chief Dance is Racist, Plain and Simple," contains inflammatory language directed toward Chief Illiniwek. A post written by one student last month mentioned shooting the mascot with a revolver.
No criminal complaints have been filed about that page, Christensen said.
Chief Illiniwek, portrayed by a student, has performed at Illini sports events for 81 years.
Opponents call the chief and other American Indian characters used by sports teams offensive, while supporters defend the mascot's use as a way of honoring American Indians.
The NCAA has barred Illinois from hosting postseason sports since 2005, deeming Illiniwek and his dance a "hostile and abusive" use of American Indian imagery.
University Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence C. Eppley said last week that the board will decide this year whether to continue using the mascot.
University police investigating the threats made late last year on a Web page dedicated to the mascot on the social-networking Web site Facebook had earlier this month asked the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office to evaluate the case.
"Our opinion is there are no charges to be filed," State's Attorney Julia Rietz said.
One posting on the Chief Illiniwek-related Web page included a posting that read "I say we throw a tomohawk into her face," in reference to the American Indian student.
To merit criminal charges, such a threat would have to have been made directly to the student -- via an e-mail message to her, for instance -- rather than in a forum that amounts to conversation, Rietz said.
Facebook is restricted to users with university e-mail addresses.
The students who made the posts still face possible discipline through the university, Assistant Chief of Police Jeffrey Christensen said.
Citing student confidentiality, Dean of Students William Riley would only say that the cases had been referred to a discipline committee made up of faculty and students. The committee, he said, "would have heard it by now and rendered its findings."
The school has said at least three students are believed to have been involved but hasn't identified them.
In addition to the reference to the American Indian student, at least one other student wrote on the Facebook page that "... i hate redskins and hope all those drunk casino owning bums die."
The page, before it was taken off line, was titled "If They Get Rid of the Chief I'm Becoming a Racist."
Another Facebook page, "The Chief Dance is Racist, Plain and Simple," contains inflammatory language directed toward Chief Illiniwek. A post written by one student last month mentioned shooting the mascot with a revolver.
No criminal complaints have been filed about that page, Christensen said.
Chief Illiniwek, portrayed by a student, has performed at Illini sports events for 81 years.
Opponents call the chief and other American Indian characters used by sports teams offensive, while supporters defend the mascot's use as a way of honoring American Indians.
The NCAA has barred Illinois from hosting postseason sports since 2005, deeming Illiniwek and his dance a "hostile and abusive" use of American Indian imagery.
University Board of Trustees Chairman Lawrence C. Eppley said last week that the board will decide this year whether to continue using the mascot.
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nico wrote on Jan 30, 2007 1:06 PM:
" True enough. And the mascot should be able to perform at events without fear of being shot by a revolver. Let the punishment fit the crime. "
Fred wrote on Jan 30, 2007 2:34 PM:
" Anyone heard of turning the other cheek??? Someone burns the National flag and claims freedom of speech. A cheerleader dons a mascot costume and suddenly someone is offended...no honorable value, no idolism, just offensive. What is next, the CIA going after comedians for inpersonating the president-- National security threat!!! "
Jessica wrote on Jan 30, 2007 4:52 PM:
" the whole mascot thing should be thrown out anyway. the word mascot comes from the latin word for "pet." even in spanish, the word for pet is "mascota." a human being is not a pet, I dont care what the tradition is. if a school were to have a cheerleader wear a priest's cloak (I'm not catholic, I dont know what its called) and wear rosary beads and dance around doing the sign of the cross there would be an uproar. none of this would have happened if the school would have gotten rid of the "mascot" a long time ago! "
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lisa wrote on Jan 30, 2007 10:13 AM: