Waterloo police confirm they're not probing fatal mob beating of Marcellus Andrews as hate crime; Iowa Safe Schools and OneIowa think it is

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Still not listening: Waterloo Police spokesman
Lt. Michael McNamee

Waterloo police spokesman Michael McNamee has confirmed to the Des Moines Register that the Waterloo police department isn't probing the fatal gay-epithet-ridden beat-down of Marcellus Andrews last Friday as a hate crime despite ample evidence to the contrary.

“We've done multiple interviews and we have heard those allegations, but this was not because of his persuasion or the perception of his persuasion,” McNamee said. “These were all people who knew each other, and there was some bad blood between the two parties involved.”
     The disputes date back at least a year, and arguments escalated throughout Thursday and involved a vehicle being vandalized, McNamee said.
     “It all culminated in that area early Friday morning,” McNamee said.
     Detectives have identified suspects in the case, but no arrests had been made and no warrants had been sought as of late Tuesday, McNamee said.

(You may read more of the department's excuses here.)

The Rev. Marvin Jenkins of Union Missionary Baptist Church will officiate at Andrews’ funeral Saturday in Waterloo.

OneIowa and Iowa Safe Schools both see Marcellus Andrews' death quite differently. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has proclaimed Sept. 1., 2011, Safe Schools Day. Nate Monson, executive director of Iowa Safe Schools pointedly noted:

"A law is only as good as the dusty shelf it sits on, and we must heed the Governor's call to speak out against bullying and take advantage of the many resources available."

KCCI, Des Moines, says a vigil is planned in Des Moines on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Blazing Saddle. In Cedar Rapids, a vigil is set for 8:30 to 10 p.m. at the Tree of the Five Seasons in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Against the back drop of Friday's homophobia fatality in Waterloo, Michele Bachmann's hometown, Mother Jones explores the school district in Michele Bachmanns district that Minnesota state public health officials have labeled a "suicide contagion area" because of the unusually high death rate among teens and especially gay teens. Many think there is a connection between bullying, desperation, suicides, and the policies of Michele Bachmann's antigay supporters in positions of power.