COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — The Utah women's basketball team has alleged that players experienced a racially motivated incident in Coeur d'Alene during the NCAA Tournament on March 21. The experience has been reported to have shook the team so much, they moved to a hotel in Spokane, Washington.
The incident is being investigated, but no matter the legal outcome, one woman from Idaho is just not having it. Jennifer Beazer, a local political activist, said she was horrified when she read the news and has started a campaign she hopes other Idahoans will join in.
"I went and bought a beautiful local postcard and my message was that I'm so sorry this happened, I apologized for the state and said there are so many of us that see you and welcome you," Beazer said. "I think love wins. People that are so hateful and concerned with another group of people – I think their ideology is flawed."
She is sending postcards to the Utah women's basketball team showing support. Trying to combat the hate by flooding the victims with love.
"I was born and raised in Idaho, I've lived through the times when the Aryan Nation was out in the open and I don't want that to come back," Beazer said. "The majority of people here, I do not believe, agree with this."
The incident happened when the Utes players were walking in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Players said a truck with a confederate flag stopped and began yelling the N-word and other slurs. The team was walking back to their hotel after dinner when the same driver came back with more drivers who continued harassing the players.
In a joint statement from Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan, Deputy A.D. Charmelle Green and Head Coach Lynne Roberts, claimed the women's teams were given hotels that were not close to the tournament and they believe the incident might not have happened if they were given accommodations that were closer to the event.
"The University of Utah and members of our women’s basketball team, band and spirit teams, staff, administrators and supporters, continue to be deeply troubled and shaken by the hateful and disturbing actions and vitriol directed toward them in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, last Thursday evening. The incidents occurred shortly after the traveling party arrived in the area to participate in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournaments First and Second Rounds hosted by Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
There were two separate disturbing encounters. First, as the travelling party was walking to a restaurant for dinner in the vicinity of their hotel, a vehicle drove by and occupants shouted racial epithets at the group. Second, on the walk back to the hotel, a vehicle slowly passed the group, revving its engine with its occupants again shouting racially disparaging words and threats. A police report was filed later Thursday evening with the City of Coeur d’Alene Police Department, and we will continue to work with the authorities in their investigation," the statement read in part.
Beazer said it was disheartening to see visitors in the state, that did not even come here on purpose, receive such heinous treatment.
"Coeur d'Alene had the privilege of hosting and receiving the money that comes with that," she said.
There has been an outpouring of support for the players by lawmakers in the Gem State.
Additionally, the Idaho GOP, specifically the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee (KCRCC), issued a resolution that seemingly condemned the alleged racist incident. It states the KCRCC chose to issue it because of the, "the rising levels of vitriol in political discourse and the reported terrible events of last week," furthering, the committee "unequivocally rejects all forms of racial, religious, sexual, and political supremacy. Additionally, we condemn all political violence and the weaponization of labels and government against any Idahoan."
However, the resolution contexts a hodge-podge of statements about persecution, ranging from the Salem witch trial in the 1600s to claiming President Biden in a speech called MAGA Republicans terrorists.
Beazer said she wished the individual statements from various lawmakers matched the legislation that's been passed in the state's recent session.
"For example, in the statehouse this year, there was legislation that would create a 'Too Great For Hate' license plate option that would give finds to The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights. That bill didn't even get a hearing," she said.
Beazer said she will flood out hate with love, and that love will always outshine hate.
"Leading with kindness and love is what I believe in," Beazer said. "I hope in the light of such despicable stories coming out of the state, this can be a reflection of the majority of the people in Idaho."
People who want to send a postcard to the Utah women's basketball team can mail it to the following address:
University of Utah
Athletics Department
ATTN Coach Lynne Roberts
1825 E. South Campus Drive.
Salt Lake City, UT. 84112
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