Students Protest Racial Harassment in Binghamton
Some Binghamton University students are not happy with the response to a reported confrontation on Binghamton's West Side involving a man and members of a student group.
The incident is said to have occurred on Walnut Street around 11 p.m. March 7.
Members of the X'Fact'r Step Team reportedly were practicing in the street for an upcoming competition.
According to a report in the Pipe Dream student newspaper, a man confronted the students. The man allegedly used the N-word and threatened to hang the students "from the trees in his backyard."
Student Toivo Asheeke said the man may have been upset because a traffic cone near his property had been moved by the students.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Asheeke said the women team members felt city police "didn't take the incident very seriously."
A rally was planned on Binghamton University's Vestal campus Monday afternoon for students to express their concern about what happened in the city last month.
A university spokesman said President Harvey Stenger was meeting with students to discuss what occurred involving members of the X'Fact'r Step Team.
On Friday, the university released a statement responding to the reported incident. The statement said: "Binghamton University strongly denounces all incidents of harassment, intimidation and racism and remains steadfast in its commitment to being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming campus."
People who experience such incidents were urged to make a report to proper authorities "for investigation and follow-up support."
For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.