Nicole June Reporting
njune@clarksvillenow.com
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After a recent cross burning at a local church, the community will rally together Thursday to promote unity and peace.
“This ought to be a wake-up call to our community,” said State Representative Joe Pitts two days after a burned cross was found outside the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. “The burning of a cross anywhere, but especially at an African-American church is just unacceptable.”
Pitts has asked the public to join him Thursday, July 31 at 7 p.m. on the church grounds at 1300 Rossview Road.
“I’ve had some constituents call me and say this is just not right and we need to do something, so this is a call to action,” Pitts said. “It’s time for good people to stand up.”
“There won’t be any speeches; we’ll simply come together as a community to support New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and demonstrate a show of unity,” he said.
Clarksville Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime against the historically black church, but Sgt. Charles Gill told Clarksvillenow.com they have no leads and have received no tips from the public.
The local chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement for Colored People) has been in contact with authorities regarding this situation, according to a letter from chapter president Jimmie Garland.
Garland will report any updates to the organizations National Office.
The Clarksville Police Department is offering a $250 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the crime. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Clarksville Police at 931-648-0656 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers at (931) 645-TIPS (8477).
Read the original story here.
