Mulino attack spurs events against hate crime.

Activists protest an assault on two Latino men in a Mulino-area park. PCASC, the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and other local groups in today's Oregonian.

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Mulino attack spurs events against hate crime
Activists protest an assault on two Latino men in a Mulino-area park
Friday, June 01, 2007
JESSICA BRUDER
The Oregonian


A week after two Latino men visiting a Mulino-area park were attacked by what police described as a group of white teens, a coalition of social activists is planning events to support immigrant rights and call for an end to hate crimes.

A "Vigil Against Hate Crimes" is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday in Oregon City's Carnegie Center Park. In case of rain, the event will move across the street to Atkinson Memorial Church.

Event sponsors include Rural Organizing Project, Portland Central America Solidarity Committee, Atkinson Memorial Church, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, and the Coalition Against Hate Crimes.

"We are appalled and outraged at this racist, violent hate crime," read a news statement from the Portland Central America Solidarity Committee. "Anti-immigrant sentiment has fueled countless other unreported violent acts against immigrant workers and families. Now is the time for us say no to hate and to fight for dignity and respect for all."

A news conference in response to the attack is planned for 11 a.m. today outside La Sirenita restaurant at 2817 N.E. Alberta St. Speakers were scheduled to attend from American Friends Service Committee, CAUSA, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Center for Intercultural Organizing and the AFL-CIO.

Austin Wright Greenwood, 18, of Oregon City was arrested at the scene and faces charges of second- and third-degree assault and first- and third-degree criminal mischief. Second-degree assault is a Measure 11 crime that carries a 70-month minimum prison sentence.

Greenwood is scheduled to appear in Clackamas County Circuit Court today for a preliminary hearing.

A Clackamas County Sheriff's Office spokesman said Thursday that the attack was still under investigation and additional arrests were possible. Initial police reports said a crowd of 20 to 30 taunted the men with a chant of "go back to Mexico" and scattered when police arrived.

The victims, Edwin Gonzales, 27, and Alex Guzman, 26, live in Marion County and work at a Clackamas County lumber mill.

©2007 The Oregonian