RENO, Nevada (AP) — Three people were arrested and charged Wednesday in connection with a verbal altercation last week in Virginia City, Nevada, during which a Black man said a racial slur was directed at him by a man who also said “they have a hanging tree” for people like him.
The incident occurred when Ricky Johnson was collecting signatures for a ballot measure during the popular Hot August Nights classic car festival in Virginia City, a tourist town just south of Reno. Johnson began videoing after the alleged racist comments were directed at him. In the video Johnson demands that the man repeat the words on video.
A loud, profanity-filled argument on both sides followed before a woman told Johnson he was on her property. Johnson repeatedly asks her not to touch him as they move the conversation into the street, the video shows. At no time on the video is the “hanging tree” comment repeated, nor are any racial epithets uttered.
Johnson posted the video to TikTok on Aug. 2, drawing prompt condemnation from local and state officials. The Storey County Sheriff's Office interviewed Johnson and others involved, then turned over evidence to the district attorney.
On Wednesday, the sheriff's office issued a news release saying two women and a man had been arrested and booked into jail. The man in the video was charged with breach of peace, a gross misdemeanor that includes making threatening comments based on race. One of the women was charged with battery and the other with interfering with a peace officer, both misdemeanors.
The arrests drew quick praise from Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, who is Black.
“The public outcry was heard loud and clear, and steps have been taken to hold these individuals accountable for their racist and unlawful actions,” Ford said.
Johnson, from Houston, was in Virginia City working for Advanced Micro Targeting Inc., a Texas-based company that provides voter outreach and get-out-the-vote services. He was collecting signatures for a proposed Nevada state ballot initiative aimed at capping fees that attorneys collect from clients in personal injury cases.
The verbal altercation occurred in downtown Virginia City, an old mining town that attracts tens of thousands of tourists who walk its wood-planked sidewalks filled with old saloons and stores.
“I’m still shaking every time I think about it,” Johnson told The Associated Press by phone Monday before returning to Texas.
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Kelety reported from Phoenix
FILE - Cars line the main stretch of Virginia City, Nev., that attracts tens of thousands of tourists. (AP Photo/Gabe Stern, File)
MADRID (AP) — With two goals in less than 10 minutes, Lamine Yamal led Barcelona to its fifth straight victory at the start of the Spanish league season.
The teenager's double, plus second-half goals by Dani Olmo and Pedri, gave Barcelona a commanding 4-1 win at Catalan rival Girona on Sunday, keeping its lead over Real Madrid at four points.
Madrid won at Real Sociedad on Saturday with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. Villarreal was the other team four points back after winning 2-1 at Mallorca on Saturday.
Yamal's goals on Sunday were his second and third of the season. The 17-year-old Spain international opened the scoring after stealing the ball from a defender and sending a close-range shot into the net in the 30th minute. He scored again in the 37th after picking up a loose ball inside the area.
Olmo's third goal since joining Barcelona this season came from a tight angle in the 47th, and Pedri sealed the easy victory with a goal from inside the area in the 64th.
Cristhian Stuani scored Girona's lone goal in the 80th.
The hosts were initially awarded a penalty kick for a handball inside the area just before halftime, with Barcelona leading 2-0, but the call was reversed by video review.
Barcelona played with 10 men from the 87th after Ferran Torres was sent off for a hard foul on an opponent.
Girona, a surprise third-place finisher last season, won both league games against Barcelona last season.
Earlier Sunday, Celta Vigo beat Valladolid 3-1 at home for its first win after two consecutive losses. It was the fourth straight game without a win for Valladolid after it opened with a victory at Espanyol. It lost three of its next four games.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, centre, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, right, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, right, celebrates with his teammate Marc Casado after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, centre, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, second left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, right, celebrates with his teammate after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, covered by his teammates, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, centre, scores his side's opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Girona and Barcelona at the Montilivi stadium in Girona, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
