Katrina Roberge, 14, of Lebanon, stands with her father John Roberge in silence during a gathering at Broad Street Park in Claremont, N.H., Tuesday, September 12, 2017, to show support for an 8-year-old biracial Claremont boy who was injured while playing with a group of teenagers in his yard last month. (Valley News – James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.
Hundreds of activists, clergy and concerned residents gathered in Broad Street Park in Claremont on Tuesday to spread a message of tolerance and resilience following the injuries suffered last month by an 8-year-old biracial boy in an episode his family has characterized as a “lynching.”
Click here to read that story, including a series of video-interviews and recordings of speeches from the event.
Here are just two videos of the six in total: an interview with Claremont resident Leona Watt, and a recording of a speech by racial justice activist Olivia Lapierre.
The national spotlight is shining ever more brightly on Claremont in response to the allegations, and how the city is responding to racism in general.
Here’s a selection of some of the national news coverage:
- New York Times: New Hampshire Investigates Wounding of 8-Year-Old as Possible Hate Crime
- Washington Post: 8-year-old biracial boy was hung from rope by N.H. teenagers because of his race, family says
- The Root: Interview: Mother of 8-Year-Old Nearly Hanged in NH Speaks Out on Moving Forward With Her Son
- Afropunk: We Need Answers About the 8-Year-Old Boy Hung From a Tree by White Teens
- Teen Vogue: Police Are Investigating What Some Have Called the “Near Lynching” of a Biracial Boy
- Essence: White Teens Attempt To Lynch An 8-Year-Old Black Boy In New Hampshire
- Boston Globe: After alleged taunting and hanging, N.H. town comes together
Find links to all of our coverage at our most recent story.
Here are some of the letters to the editor we have run, as well:
- Forum, Sept. 14: Confront Racism (3 letters)
- Forum, Sept. 12: Schools Will Work for Justice
- Forum, Sept. 9: Not Just an Incident
A GoFundMe set up for the child’s family continues to surpass its fundraising goals, at $29,000 and counting. The new goal is now $40,000.