Georgina
November 22, 2008 08:51 PM
Joe Fantauzzi
The display of a black painted plastic skeleton hung by a noose under a Confederate flag was not the only time a convicted hate criminal drew attention to a Georgina property, court documents reveal.
According to a transcript of an agreed statement of facts from the wilful promotion of hatred case against Luke Granados, 26, who pleaded guilty to the charge about two months ago, York Regional Police took an audio statement from a recycling company collector, referred to as a black man.
The collector said he first noticed two Confederate flags flying in front of an Elm Avenue home in September 2007.
On Nov. 15 of that year, the collector saw a black doll made from stuffed plastic bags that had been hung from a noose with a Confederate flag flying overhead, according to the statement of facts.
“There was a spotlight illuminating the display,” according to the facts.
In the collector’s statement, he discussed the symbolism of the display and its effect on him.
“He described how, as a black person, he felt unwelcome in the neighbourhood and felt particularly concerned and threatened,” the statement of facts show.
After seeing the display, the collector called his supervisor, who in turn contacted the Town of Georgina’s bylaw office.
On Nov. 26, 2007, an officer working in the Elm Avenue and The Queensway area of Keswick found a life-sized plastic skeleton that had been painted black, hung by a noose and attached to a flagpole flying a Confederate flag, police said.
The displaying of a Confederate flag can be viewed as offensive, given its association with slave states during the United States Civil War.
The officer approached the home where the skeleton was hung, hoping to speak to the residents and have the display removed, the facts state.
“As he approached he could see another Confederate flag flying nearby on the property and could see inside the house that there were a number of Confederate flags and paintings on the wall,” the facts state.
The officer knocked on the door, which was answered by Mr. Granados and his brother Russell Granados. Russell was holding a large pit bull, the facts state.
The officer “asked Luke if he would remove the hanging skeleton out of respect for the community”.
Mr. Granados told the officer he didn’t care and to “...tell people to take their f---ing Christmas lights down and I might take it down then,” the facts state.
He also stated it was from Halloween and that he would never take it down, the facts show.
The Attorney General consented to proceed on the charge May 14 and Mr. Granados was arrested and charged the next day.
The Granados brothers were charged, although the charge against Russell was dropped, police said.