WATCH: Coeur d'Alene city leaders address racial slurs directed to Utah basketball team during March
COEUR D'ALENE, ID. - A pickup truck driver displaying a confederate flag yelled the "N" word at two women's basketball teams staying at the Coeur d'Alene Resort for the NCAA Tournament last week, according to the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations.
A release from the organization states that two teams were walking to a local restaurant on Sherman Ave. for dinner on March 21 when a person driving the truck began spewing racial slurs.
When the players left the restaurant, the release states that the same truck driver, along with others, followed the women's teams back to the Coeur d'Alene Resort while revving up their car engines and continuing to yell racial threats.
Utah head coach Lynee Robert announced Monday night that her team relocated from the Coeur d'Alene Resort to a different hotel during the NCAA Tournament after experiencing a series of "racial hate crimes."
During a press conference at the Coeur d'Alene Resort on Tuesday, the task force identified the other team who experienced racial comments as the women's basketball team at the University of California, Irvine.
In a statement from Mike Uhlenkamp Assistant Vice Chancellor at UCI, he says racial slurs were not directed toward any of their traveling party, but they moved hotels for the safety of their students.
The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations said the information did not come from law enforcement, but a third-party source.
The mayor of the city extended his apologies towards the two teams:
"On behalf of the city and all of its communities, I strongly condemn the appalling treatment of the female college athletes who were visiting Coeur d'Alene," Mayor Jim Hammond said. "To Utah and Irvine universities, we express regret and true sorrow that your student athletes experienced such treatment."
Spokane Sports, Public Facilities District, and Visit Spokane also released a joint statement regarding what happened:
"As representatives of the Spokane region, we express deep sorrow and concern regarding reports of racial slurs that occurred in Idaho, directed at visiting NCAA women's basketball players. We unequivocally condemn all forms of hatred. Ensuring the safety of student-athletes is paramount during events hosted in Spokane."
City of Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White says there are a number of crimes the department is investigating at this point, including malicious harassment and a disorderly conduct statute.
Chief White said the department has an open case in this matter and want to speak with the victims in this case.
He also said detectives are actively seeking video of the incident and is encouraging anyone with information to call the department at 208-769-2329.
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THANK YOU! Racism is alive ,well and thriving in this country.
Sad things is most of the racist that inhabit N Idaho are not local, they moved to Idaho because they feel it’s excepted and won’t be called out. The local people who want it to stop and the image to change, aren’t doing enough to stand up to the few people who act this way. Stop letting it happen! Call it put in every instant, and force those who do this out of the region. The Aryan nations compound was sued into oblivion, but there are those who come to the area and try and make it their homeland, it’s sickening. Push those who do this OUT! They feel nobody will do anything, so Couerdalene is this true? The choice is in the hands of anyone who lives there. You must aggressively call out anyone who behaves this way in any instant with extreme prejudice.
Children are not born to hate or be a racist..it is learn and taught by parents and others who influence them… Reason the hate and racism will never end..
Republicans hatebreed their children.
No Republicans are stuck around Democrats you're the most hateful racist people on the planet! Its no wonder these good kids pick up your foulness.
Yep, I learned when I got in to high school. Just as my mother did some years back! It is definitely learned. BTW…..check out Chicagos murder rate! It’s gonna be a hot summer and ain’t no love going to be involved. Have a great weekend jeffy😅
People wake up, if this did actually happen then show us the video, this is all based on claims and no real video or audio. If I am showed real evidence, then I will admit I'm wrong. But the fact that there isn't any video or audio evidence is suspicious. Were there not security cameras?
“To be tolerant of intolerance is to become part/party to/of it” Gov.Evans was right-
Idaho you can choose to address this yourself or you support this racism. That “member of the press,” represents all of you until you show otherwise.
I could waste my time talking about how terrible it was for those people to perpetuate this; it’s better to say that I am moved by the city leaders reaction to this. Well said and eloquent.
Oh no one carload of people were racist towards blacks meanwhile you go to a black run town every carload is racist against the whites. F your BS narrative!
It's called freedom of speech.just cause we don't like it doesn't mean they don't have a right to say what they think.
City leaders have known for decades what groups call cda home.
If racism is totally unacceptable in your community please tell me what your plan of action is? Apologies are good but deeds are better. I am black and all I hear are words.
Racism is lot less than it used to be. If all you have to claim racism is name calling, you've come a long way.
They used to have a ‘Green Book’ for black motorists which had the listings of hotels were black people could find suitable accommodations.
They seem to want segregation let them have it.
The city leader in the red tie was extremely uncomfortable speaking about a matter like this. It’s clear that he’s only talking about this because it caught national attention. His snappy attitude with the reporter who asked tough questions is not a good demeanor to have in a sensitive interview like this one. He came off as a privileged and untouchable elitist, which reflects how the perpetrators acted during the incident. That actually gives the notion as though the culture there is the same as the suspects represented that place to be.
Fix your community air
Look at this dude, he is the picture of a good ole boy
In the security footage, are they able to make out if the racists were wearing pointy white hats? If so it was probably just a few rowdy democrats. They are infamous for pulling these kinds of cowardly stunts. All bark and no bite.
😂 I believe none of this Jussie story
Actually, the whole story could be made up. Even so, its just name calling. Billy called me a jerk mommy! Well, I'll call the FBI on him!
Isn't that area a far-right stronghold?
Chief "White" lol
Good job sir! Keep up the good work! Keep our city white!
I smell a Woke Rat in this whole story. Few details. Even if these gals heard some slurs, get over it. Life is tough.
No license plate, no video. What worries me was that the FBI claims to be investigating. Like the Fed govt has nothing better to do than go after name callers.
Nah if people are so triggered by seeing black people interracial couples gays ect that they feel the need to yell slurs and follow them. they need to be held accountable. You wouldn’t put up with someone harassing and following you that’s ridiculous