NAACP leaders want authorities to tack on a hate crime charge to the list of misdemeanors and felonies that three white people face for their roles in a massive brawl in Conway, Arkansas, that broke out after they reportedly mocked a Black teenager.
Authorities arrested 52-year-old Chucky Hartwick, 33-year-old Kelli Kennedy, and 62-year-old Michael Kennedy, who all face several charges including battery, aggravated assault, and disorderly conduct.
All three individuals reportedly instigated a fight on Jan. 6 outside a local entertainment center that authorities estimated up to 30 people joined.
The Faulkner County prosecutor’s office said moments before the fight, a group of adults started mocking a Black teenager who was outside with his hands tucked into his pants to keep warm.
Some teenagers came to the teen’s defense and, before long, someone started hurling racial slurs and the altercation escalated into a physical fight. One cell phone video shows a teenager backing away from a man who starts shoving the teen.