Cross Burning-Family Calls fo National Investigation

African-American family in Corpus Christi, Texas finds 8 foot cross burned into their front lawn. Police classified the incident as a misdemeanor property damage case. Family seeking assistance from natioanl agencies.

Corpus Christi, TX July 26, 2004 -- George and Samimah Aziz-Hodge woke up on the morning of July 14 to the frightening sight of an image of a cross-burned on the lawn in front of their Country Club Estates home. The couple is the only African-American family in the neighborhood and has lived in the area a little less than one year.

Police are trying to determine what substance or method was used to burn the life size image of a cross into the grass. Samples were taken for further examination, results are still pending.

"From our point of view this is not only a hate crime but an act of domestic terrorism. The image of a burnt cross in front of our home conjures feelings of distrust, confusion, and quite honestly fear. Fear for our young children and concern about our safety. We are law abiding, productive members of this community and cannot imagine what reason anyone would have for doing such a horrible thing."

George Hodge is the Director of Corpus Christi's Weed & Seed Office, an agency funded by the Department of Justice to support programs and services for at-risk youth in the area. Hodge serves as Chaplin for 100 Black Men of Corpus Christi and is active in the local chapter of the NAACP. He is active in the local community and sits on a number of Boards (Police Training and Advisory Board, Goodwill, Advance Housing Corp., National Crime Prevention Council, and Avance).

Samimah Aziz-Hodge owns a Travel and Event Management Company and sponsors programs that promote and encourage cultural diversity in Education and the Arts. When the cross-burning incident occurred, Mrs. Hodge was organizing a program to bring a Brazilian Dance Company to Corpus Christi. "I will continue to promote efforts to expose others to the diverse cultures of the world. It is this kind of exposure which helps to foster respect and appreciation for ethnic and cultural differences."

The Hodges met with Field Agents from the FBI who came to view the crime scene and discuss possible motives for a cross burning. The Agents said that they would allow the police to flush out the details of the investigation. The FBI would then review the findings to determine if the evidence qualifies the crime as a Hate Crime under federal statutes.

Recently, George Hodge met with Corpus Christi Police Chief Pete Alvarez and requested that a full investigation be launched in the police department after his name was written on a blackboard in the Officers Briefing room with derogatory remarks.

Chief Alvarez reported in a news interview that he is treating the case as a misdemeanor property damage incident. It was also reported that the two Police officers involved in the Briefing room incident are placed on a three-day suspension without appeal.

"FBI: No Apparent Hate Crime" was the headline in the local paper two days after the Cross was discovered. The Hodges are questioning how this conclusion can be reached so quickly without a thorough examination of the facts.

"We are calling on FBI, Sheriff, and Police Departments to launch a full investigation into the matter. We are appalled at the Chief's attempt to marginalize the incident by labeling it a property damage case. We believe that this is more than a mere property damage issue and are asking that the authorities find out who did this, for what reason, and how the crime was perpetrated."

"Local organizations have offered to reseed our lawn, we are moved by the show of support and encouragement received from our neighbors and the community at large," says Mr. Hodge. The Hodge family has decided to postpone the Reseeding Ceremony to allow for a thorough and complete investigation.

The Hodge family categorizes the act as a hate crime and an attempt by someone to intimidate and threaten them. They will seek consultation from the national offices of the Department of Justice, NAACP, 100 Black Men, and other Civil Rights organizations.

George and Samimah Aziz- Hodge can be contacted at e-mail protected from spam bots

# # #