Quanell X Makes Bad Situation Worse, As Usual
CLEVELAND - This old timber town of almost 8,000 in East Texas has become a tinderbox that some residents fear could be ignited now by recent charges of racism, political chicanery and child rape.
Even before the alleged gang rape of an 11-year-old girl divided Cleveland, tensions were already simmering here. Accusations of racism had been flying over the looming recall election of three black City Council members. Those targeted for removal have expressed concerns that the election could be racially motivated, while their opponents accuse them of mismanagement and squandering tax dollars.
Meanwhile, Houston community activist Quanell X rolled into town on Thursday evening and held a rally questioning the ongoing investigation that has resulted in 18 black men and boys in Cleveland being charged with sexually assaulting the 11-year-old Hispanic girl.
Quanell spoke before a standing-room only crowd in a community building he rented after a predominantly minority church withdrew an invitation for him to speak and law enforcement officials advised him to cancel the meeting because of "racial unrest between black and Hispanic groups."
While calling for the black community to conduct a prayer vigil with Hispanic residents, he said Hispanics "have a right to be angry with black men who ravaged a young girl ... but the first house you need to stop at is her Mama and Daddy's house!" The audience cheered and hollered amen.
He said some of those arrested were guilty and should be punished but not all. "We do not want someone with a malicious racist motive to rid your community of an entire generation of black men," Quanell said.
'A bad mood'
Turmoil over the investigation, recall election and racism allegations is making residents anxious. On Thursday, witnesses saw a group of white men with shaved heads in the back of a pickup driving along a Cleveland street shouting, "Kill all the (expletive N-word)."
"There's just a bad mood in Cleveland right now," said County Commissioner Melvin Hunt. "I'd love to see things settle down and get harmonious again."
Cleveland florist Eva Lisco said one of her customers told her she planned to send her two children out of state until "this is all over."
The recall election slated for May 14 targets Cedric McDuffie, Barbara McIntyre and Durlene Davis. A press conference called by McDuffie and Davis to discuss the child rape case and coming election was hastily canceled minutes before it was to be held Thursday.
Later Davis issued a written statement that council members were making great improvements in Cleveland: "But we cannot go forth with the necessary change for our city with the negative distractions."
Former Cleveland mayor Stan Jones, a dentist who has helped lead the recall, said he is tired of council members playing the "race card" while they are actually "spending money like inebriated sailors."
The sexual assault case, which has rocketed into the national spotlight, is also upsetting many locals who fear the child is being victimized once more by those who try to blame her. Others have nothing but derogatory comments about the young girl, including a local website that posted a risque photo of the girl and also labeled her a "snitch."
Attorney James D. Evans III, who has represented several of the young men, further inflamed the debate by claiming the victim was "seeking attention."
U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, a former prosecutor and judge whose congressional district includes Cleveland, said in response to suspects who claim to have been ignorant of the girl's youth that under Texas law: "Ignorance is no defense - especially in the rape of a child."
Law enforcement authorities say the law clearly states that an 11-year-old can never legally give consent. "Those accused will have their day in court," Poe said. "Those found guilty should be shown no mercy for their crimes. May justice be swift and harsh."
A warning
The investigation started after videos and photos that onlookers took with their cell phones of the sexual assault over the Thanksgiving day holiday went viral around the community and schools.
According to Cleveland police, the young girl was assaulted at an abandoned trailer and neighboring house after agreeing to go "riding around" with a 19-year-old and two other young men.
The victim reported that one of her attackers threatened that she would be beaten unless she disrobed, police said. Those arrested so far range from a middle schooler to a 27-year-old. They include two starters on the high school basketball team, the 21-year-old son of a school board member and several who have criminal records.
Since the arrests began, the girl has been taken to a safe house outside Liberty County for her own protection.
Paula Barron, director of Bridgehaven Advocacy Center, which interviewed the victim of the rapes, warned those who circulated cellphone images of the 11-year-old's assault can be charged with possessing child pornography.
"Our children need protection," Barron said. "Those who are victimized often have troubles that they will deal with for the rest of their lives."
Source
Quanell X never met a bad situation he couldn't exploit and a spotlight he couldn't hog. This man completely disgusts me and I am sick and tired of this bullying famewhore being given any sort of credibility.
This whole story just keeps getting worse and worse.
And as for the defense attorney who implied that the victim was "seeking attention?" A special place in hell for you, sir.