Three plead guilty in racial intimidation in Chiloquin [Klamath Falls area]

the Register Guard ^ | 18 July 02 | By JEFF BARNARD

[Glutton]

KLAMATH FALLS - Three men pleaded guilty on Wednesday to firing shots and shouting racial slurs while driving through the hometown of the Klamath Tribes at a time when tension was high over irrigation water being withheld from farmers to protect fish held sacred by the tribes.

Dressed in T-shirts and jeans, the three men stood in Klamath County Circuit Court and described how they got drunk last December and drove into the town of Chiloquin, where they called out racial slurs, accused the tribes of stealing their water and shot at signs and an outhouse.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Carter filled in the gaps, telling Judge Roger Isaacson that the men harassed teen-age boys on a school bus heading for a basketball game, singling out tribal members and calling them ``stupid Indians.'' They also called out, ``Sucker lovers come on out and fight.''

The taunt was a reference to the Lost River sucker and shortnosed sucker, two endangered species considered sacred by the tribes. During last summer's drought, water was withheld from farmers to assure that the fish would survive.

George Curry, 23, a ranch hand; Richard Sharp, 26, a logger; and Adam Lee, 27, occupation unknown, each pleaded guilty to felony charges of conspiracy to commit criminal intimidation and unlawful use of a weapon, and misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.

Sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 10.

Subject to approval by the judge, District Attorney Ed Caleb said the men will be required to make a public apology to be read in court and published in the local newspaper, do some sort of community service to benefit the town of Chiloquin, and undergo cultural identity orientation conducted by the Klamath Tribes.

They also must serve 30 days in jail and pay fines and restitution.

Caleb said the proposed sentence was crafted in consultation with the tribes, and he hoped it would lead to better relations between the tribes and other members of the local community.

Partly as a result of this case, law enforcement agencies plan cultural sensitivity training and have made new connections with the tribes.

``I'm hoping the community can look at this and admit that sometimes these attitudes exist,'' Caleb said. ``We do have to own up to this in order to heal.

``It's not illegal to hold racially hostile attitudes,'' Caleb added. ``It's when you commit a criminal act with those attitudes as your motivation.''

[Glutton]

Ping! Note the attempt to tie-in the K-Falls water rights fight.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

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