June 1, 2020 3:10p; Edited at 5:45p
(WGTD)---The person who set on fire the Community Options Policing house on Villa Sunday night simultaneously trashed the memory of Thelma Orr, one of Racine's civil rights pioneers.
The house--on Villa kittyy-corner to St. Catherine's High School--was named after Orr in her memory. Now it sits heavily damaged, one of numerous structures in the city that were damaged in varying degrees in the aftermath of a George Floyd protest early Monday morning.
Racine Police Chief Art Howell said at a city hall news conference Monday that the community is outraged. "The actual community," he added. "Not the agitators. They're outraged over this and rightly so."
Howell blamed the criminal activity that occurred to organized groups that were looking for cover. "I share this information with you to make the distinction between the anger and frustration that is justified in our nation with the opportunists and criminals that have literally hijacked this cause," Howell said.
Howell said the police department has its eye on a specific group.
Also Monday, Mayor Cory Mason urged the community to express their support for racial equality and against racial injustice by either kneeling or burning a candle in their homes for nine minutes, the length of time the Minneapolis police officer's knee was on George Floyd's neck. Mason is also asking churches to ring their bells for nine minute. The community-wide expression is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m.
"I see and I hear Racine's African-American community members who like so many across the country say they're tired. They're tired of this violence against black bodies, tired of the lack of accountability, tired of the uphill fight for justice and basic rights and safety," Mason said. "I'm tired too."
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