BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) - A civil rights organization is calling for a hate crime investigation into a noose found hanging from a tree at a country club on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
The Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations on Wednesday called on law enforcement to investigate as a hate crime the incident at the Belleair Country Club.
The Tampa Bay Times reports the noose was discovered by African American solid waste employees who were picking up the trash.
The town’s police chief started an investigation, and the town’s manager read a statement at a recent commission meeting emphasizing that officials don’t condone racism.
Town Manager J.P. Murphy says officials recognize the hateful symbolism of the noose, which has been associated with the lynching of African Americans.
Belleair is near St. Petersburg.
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