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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGay couple w/ 4 kids bullied in Arizona for months, kids threatened with gun
This is a fairly long article with some really upsetting information. Please, read the entire article.
http://www.examiner.com/article/gay-couple-w-4-kids-bullied-arizona-for-months-kids-threatened-with-gun
In the last 120 days the Bermea's family vehicles have been vandalized, with gay slurs scratched into them. Their property has been set on fire, and their home has been broken into -- again with slurs and profanity left behind. One of the children's rooms was vandalized, and they now are afraid to sleep there. Can you blame them? How would any child be able to sleep knowing that there are people outside your walls who want to do harm to you and your family? The trauma on the minds of these children is heartbreaking, as they will likely carry these moments terror with them for the rest of their lives. It is despicable, deplorable and truly tragic that these innocent children have learned at such an early age what it means to live in fear.
/snip
Just recently over the weekend of June 30th two of the children were accosted by at least two men in a white SUV, one who had with a gun! According to the new Facebook group created to support the family it was reported that a man drove along side them and another got out of the vehicle and pointed a pistol at the defenseless, blameless children. The children then fled home, with both men giving chase. One on foot, and the other slowly following in their vehicle. Upon arriving they told their parents what happened, who again called the police. Again, no leads -- and no help.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)What the fuck is wrong with people.
lpbk2713
(42,770 posts)They could not be any further off the mark.
Guys with guns chasing little kids?
Should be exterminated like rabid vermin.
Zalatix
(8,994 posts)That is why I am an avid fan of the 2nd Amendment. That shit woulda got handled.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)In this state, the 2nd Amendment is too restrictive. I know far left, passive, peaceful Liberals and Progressives that carry just because of whacknuts like these.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)This would be a proper application of Stand Your Ground...
freshwest
(53,661 posts)backscatter712
(26,355 posts)AzDar
(14,023 posts)school my children would haved attended had we not moved is referred to as "Lord Of The Flies" Elementary by some, due to the fact that the children of prominent Mormons are allowed to run so completely amok. It is also worth pointing out that a huge Mormon Temple is under construction there. Juuuust saying.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)Did you get the sense that they were completely intolerant and off their rockers? Or, has this been a recent development?
I ask because I lived here (AZ) for just over a year 20 years ago. I left and came back in '01. There seems to be a steady decline in decency in Arizona. Our local paper is horrid. The comments would be banned from most web sites.
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)The cops are corrupt and the Mormons own the town.
And yes, there is a huge temple being built.
I hate AZ and want to get the eff outta here.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Another area controlled by American Taliban overlords. All protected under the First and Second Amendments to harm others. I wonder how we can legally stop any of this since they appear to own the place. I hate to say it, but the family should move. I've seen this in rural areas before. Rosewood and other terrorist acts carried out in this country and never brought to justice at all.
xchrom
(108,903 posts)Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)We got a lot of them in this here state.
Initech
(100,118 posts)Seriously - go to San Francisco or Massachusetts - no one deserves that kind of bigotry or intolerance.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)None of them will ever feel truly safe again.
yardwork
(61,737 posts)San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the world. The cities in Massachusetts are also extremely expensive. Not everybody can find a job there. It's not easy to find a job anywhere. And why should people have to move away from places in the U.S. to get away from illegal threats on their lives and the lives of their children?
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)They should not have to leave their home and friends behind. I'm not one to give up, but this horror they are living...this sounds like it may escalate even further.
Maybe if there weren't kids involved, I would be more likely to say, fuck it stay where you are and fight.
yardwork
(61,737 posts)If I had to leave my state in a hurry, it would be difficult to find a job in my field. Here I have a good job and can therefore provide for my children and other people who count on me. I am the breadwinner for an extended family. I can't just pick up stakes and move to another city overnight.
I am sure that this couple is doing everything they can to get their kids to safety, but it's taking time. I suppose that they could go live in a homeless shelter in another state. Wait. Homeless shelters are notorious for rejecting gay couples, so I guess that's out.
Initech
(100,118 posts)But I'm sure there's communities around the country that are far safer than where they're living. Pointing guns at children because you don't like or approve their parents lifestyle is such sick behavior that it crosses the line.
boppers
(16,588 posts)Similar costs of living to suburban AZ, only we actually have rain. Like, more than a few times a year.
-A Tucson expat.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)I live in Arizona and I'd leave if I could.
It's such a depressing thought that the only real solution to this family's problems is to leave the damned state. I can't imagine what these parents must be going through. Your first instinct is to protect your children and they can't. If they leave, the assholes win the war. I think maybe we need to find more gay couples to buy homes in their neighborhood.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)MineralMan
(146,341 posts)leave their homes when subjected to this kind of thing. They shouldn't have to leave in this country. Instead the bigots should be brought to justice.
Some might recommend armed resistance, but it's likely that the cowards who are doing this are careful not to do it when adults who might be armed are around. Personally, I'd be guarding my home fully armed, but might not appear to be there. My tolerance for this kind of stuff is very, very limited.
This is one of those situations when a strong community watch should help assure that whoever is doing this shit are identified and prosecuted. That may not be possible in Gilbert, AZ, though.
LeftyMom
(49,212 posts)ryan_cats
(2,061 posts)How do these hateful kooks justify vandalizing the kid'sroom?
House and vehicles vandalized.
Someone brandished a gun at the kids and chased them!
12 reports filed to police.
4 months of continuing escalating harassment.
Why haven't the police staked out their house and tailed their kids? I don't know what kind of coward attacks a child with a gun because he doesn't like the parent's lifestyle. Well, I don't like bigoted gun brandishing morons; isn't one of those crimes a felony?
The police have no excuse, none whatsoever to let this continue. By sweeping it under the rug, they're emboldening the kooks.
Will it take the murder of an innocent kid to get something done?
This whole family has done nothing wrong, nothing. The citizens of Gilbert AZ need to remove the police chief and whoever else is sweeping this under the rug.
Shameful.
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)When I saw the OP I figured it was Phoenix/Suburb.
Gilbert is in the East Valley, Northwest/West side is messed up too. Last week was my 27th anniversary of getting out out Phoenix. I know my anniversary date, my kids birthdays, most of my families birthdays, and the day I left Phoenix.
Remember two things; there are a lot of reasons a people can't leave an area and other parts of AZ aren't as bad as Maricopa County.
backscatter712
(26,355 posts)I know, I'm a bad person for saying it, but I'm going to be singing "Ding Dong" and dancing an Irish jig the day Arpaio dies.
rufus dog
(8,419 posts)Hopefully we can do the jig sooner rather than later.
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)But his buds aren't cops...they are deputies that don't do jackshit....
And I will dance an Irish jig as welll on the day that arpaio kicks it...thank goodness my Mom was 1/2 Irish and she taught me well.....I will attend that asshole's funeral, wear bright pink and orange and smile all day
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)There's alot more crime and poverty in the West side, but Gilbert just plain sux ass.
nolabear
(42,001 posts)I grew up in Mississippi. This reminds me so much of old school Klan/Law Enforcement behavior that it gives me the heebie-jeebies. How far can the insanity go before we don't stand for it?
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)to protect their family. It's AZ. I'm sure it's legal to do so.
Time to fight fire with fire.
Wait Wut
(8,492 posts)But, that's up to them. It makes me wish I lived next door. If they're concerned about having guns in the house with the kids, my husband and I would be glad to assist. Not sure how legal THAT would be, but at this point...I'd take my chances. This whole story makes me sick.
Response to Wait Wut (Original post)
EarthGurl2012 This message was self-deleted by its author.
lpbk2713
(42,770 posts)And welcome to DU.
Response to lpbk2713 (Reply #29)
EarthGurl2012 This message was self-deleted by its author.
boppers
(16,588 posts)Same with warm winters.
I still wouldn't go back for more than a few days, though, ugh.
Response to boppers (Reply #35)
EarthGurl2012 This message was self-deleted by its author.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)You say no leads, no help. Has the family elevated their complaint within Gilbert police department or contacted media or political figures such as the Mayor of Gilbert?
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)they won't give a flying fuck
the mayor of Gilbert? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
Where are you from?????
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)blueamy66
(6,795 posts)Do you live in AZ?
waiting.....
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)from someplace else. Were your born here? I'm a native zonie.
blueamy66
(6,795 posts)I am 45.....lived in Buffalo for 6 years, 3 years in Hawaii and the rest in AZ. My brother's "extended" family all lives in Gilbert.....they are my family too....hard to believe, but some people care about others.....
Anyway, again, Gilbert is a fucking cesspool...hate to even drive in that fucked up town....
fascisthunter
(29,381 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)This is why the hate propagandists work so hard and strain to hide. They should all of them be shunned by society until they shuffle off this mortal coil. Those who have written libels and published them for the public to see are party to each act of violence they incited with their hate speech.