Nevada
TikToker racially attacked by man who told him where 'hanging tree' is
A DISTURBING argument between a Black man and a group of white people at a large summer event in Nevada has been caught on video.
The clip shows a Black man yelling at a white man for allegedly telling him to find the “hanging tree” and then laughing before the Black man is ushered off the property.
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The altercation occurred earlier this weekend at a Hot August Nights event in Virginia City, Nevada, located about 35 minutes outside of Reno.
TikTok user Uncle Ricky (@unclerickyd1), the Black man in the video, shared the upsetting viral clip that has already been viewed over 650,000 times.
At the start of the video, Uncle Ricky can be heard asking the white man in a black t-shirt to repeat what he had said about “where the hanging tree is at.”
“In your backyard,” the white man responds, balling his hands into fists.
It appears a white woman tries to tell the white man that she agrees with Uncle Ricky, but she is ignored and pushed aside.
The white man soon sits back down into a folding chair set up on the sidewalk before two other white women exit the nearest shop to encourage Uncle Ricky to leave the sidewalk and the sitting men due to the commotion.
The younger woman can be heard saying that the white man is her father, while the older woman tries telling Uncle Ricky to calm down and go away.
After the clip went viral, internet sleuths claimed to have identified the white man and older woman as a couple from the nearby town of Minden, according to local news site The is Reno.
CITY OFFICIALS CONDEMN RACISM
City officials quickly posted a response to the video condemning the behavior.
“Earlier this weekend, an incident occurred in which individuals were harassed during an event, and comments were made that were hateful and racist,” officials wrote on the social media platform X.
“We want to make it clear on behalf of the Virginia City Tourism Commission that we find this behavior abhorrent and inexcusable.”
“Virginia City is an incredible historic town with vibrant events and a welcoming atmosphere. We stand wholly against any acts of hatred, racism, or violence,” representatives added.
“Virginia City is proud to be a town that invites all individuals, and we are working closely with our merchants and event partners to create a community that is inclusive and open to all.”
SUMMER NIGHTS HEATING UP
According to the event’s history page, Hot August Nights is an annual celebration that started in 1986 to revitalize the small mining town during the slow and steamy month of August.
Over the last forty years, the event has ballooned into a popular community gathering that attracts thousands of spectators and includes dozens of activities organized by area businesses, artists, and others.
The alleged owners of Virginia City’s Firehouse Saloon, the business where the argument occurred, said they were not “affiliated” with the people in the video.
But one of the women in the clip is wearing a shirt bearing the company’s name.
Local reporters report that since the video went viral, the owners have received a “firestorm” of comments online.
In a follow-up video on TikTok, Uncle Ricky thanked people for supporting him and said he was working in Virginia City when the “hurtful” incident occurred.
COMMUNITY ENRAGED, AND AFRAID
Thousands of people have since posted comments denouncing the argument and racism in general, comparing the argument to a scene from a horror flick.
“It’s like something out of a horror movie when they all come out and surround him with smiles on their faces and the high-pitched, overly sweet voices. I hope he gets justice and they get jail time,” one person commented on TikTok.
“I felt like I was watching a horror movie. This is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen,” a second added.
Several people said they felt fear after watching the clip.
“I’m Mexican looking at a screen & I’m hyperventilating I’m so sorry. I cannot imagine the feeling,” one person wrote.
“They were like a mob. This was so scary. I am so sorry you went through this. I wish I was there to cuss them out with you!!” another posted.
A request for comment from The U.S. Sun was not immediately addressed by Uncle Ricky or the organizers of the Hot August Nights event.
The white man and women accused of racism in the video could not be reached for comment by The U.S. Sun.
Nevada
Clark County prepares for second annual Missing in Nevada Day event
Las Vegas (KSNV) — The Clark County coroner will host the second annual Missing in Nevada Day event, providing families with a vital opportunity to file reports of missing loved ones, receive updates on existing cases, and connect with investigators and advocates.
The event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UNLV’s University Gateway Building. Clark County Coroner Melanie Rouse highlighted the addition of new resources this year.
Families are encouraged to bring photographs, dental records, and fingerprints.
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DNA samples may also be collected from close biological family members to help build a profile for the missing loved one.
Nevada
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Nevada
‘Light over darkness’: Local Hanukkah celebrations held amid tight security
As the most visible Jewish holiday, Hanukkah is traditionally observed publicly with ceremonies such as the eight-day lighting of the menorah, Rabbi Shea Harlig of Chabad of Southern Nevada noted Monday.
In the aftermath of an antisemitic terror attack that targeted Jewish revelers marking the beginning of Hanukkah at an Australian beach over the weekend, the holiday’s message of “light over darkness” resonates, Harlig said at a menorah lighting ceremony at Las Vegas City Hall.
Events hosted by the city and later at Clark County’s government center took place amid enhanced police security.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday that the attack, which killed 15 people and injured dozens more, was “motivated by Islamic State ideology,” according to CNN.
“The way we deal with it is not by hiding, but on the contrary by going out and doing more events to bring more light into the world,” Harlig added.
Police officers and marshals guarded the city’s Civic Center & Plaza during the menorah lighting ceremony.
The Metropolitan Police Department said Monday that it was monitoring the Australian terror attack and that it had bolstered officer presence at places of religious worship across the valley.
“As always, we remind everyone that ‘if you see something, say something,’” said police, noting that suspicious activities can be reported at 702-828-7777 and snctc.org.
‘Festival of light’
Las Vegas’ Hanukkah ceremony was one of about 50 organized in the valley for the holiday, Harlig said.
Performers known as the “Dancing Dreidels” shimmied to music before a torch that marked Hanukkah’s second day was lit among Hebrew prayers.
Mayor Shelley Berkley and Councilman Brian Knudsen joined the festivities.
“In the city of Las Vegas, we do not tolerate antisemitism, racism, discrimination or hatred of any kind, against any individual or group of people,” Berkley said.
The Jewish mayor later told the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the holiday’s personal significance.
“It’s a festival of light, it’s a happy occasion where you celebrate with your family and your friends and your loved ones, and the entire community,” she said.
Berkley said that the city, its marshals and Metro had stepped up to provide a safe environment during the festivities, adding that a menorah celebration at Fremont Street Sunday went off well during the first day of the holiday.
“I think everybody that attended the menorah lighting last night felt very safe, and very welcomed and valued in the city of Las Vegas,” she said. “And that is the message we wanted to get out to the community. No matter what your religion, your culture, you’re all welcome here in this city.”
Asked about Southern Nevada’s response to the terror attacks, Berkley said: “I believe there was tremendous concern in the Jewish community.”
She added during her public remarks: “There has been a Jew hate and antisemitism for 5,000 years. We just keep moving forward and doing the best we can, and I’m very proud of the Jewish community and very proud to be a part of it.”
A couple of hours after the City Hall event, Harlig and the Dancing Dreidels made their way to a similar celebration at the Clark County Government Center, where the victims were memorized with a moment of silence.
Commissioner Michael Naft echoed the rabbi’s menorah lighting message in his remarks.
“There is no better way for the Jewish community — (or) any community — to respond to darkness than with demonstrations of our power, demonstrations of our strength and by never hiding, by never running away,” he said. “That’s what we do here in Clark County and around the world.”
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.
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