By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On January 10th, Richard Mitchell Jr. and Sara Tresnak were charged with ethnic intimidation after allegedly attacking a woman at the Hanover Eagles in Penn Township. The victim, who identified herself as having Black and Puerto Rican heritage, reported being assaulted by the couple who made racist remarks and stated “this is a MAGA town.” According to police, the assault involved the man grabbing the victim’s neck and forcing her to the ground while the woman beat her. Both Mitchell and Tresnak admitted to being involved in the fight, but claimed the victim attacked them first, resulting in both being charged with ethnic intimidation and other related charges.
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PA couple allegedly beats woman after asking her ethnicity: “This is MAGA town.” This incident, sadly, fits a troubling pattern. The news reports a disturbing encounter where a couple in Pennsylvania, after allegedly questioning a woman about her ethnicity, proceeded to physically assault her, even declaring “This is MAGA town.” The charges, as currently levied, seem insufficient given the severity of the alleged actions, especially the hateful motivation behind the assault. It’s truly difficult to grasp why these actions aren’t being treated as a felony hate crime, as the intent to intimidate and inflict harm based on someone’s ethnicity is crystal clear. This begs the question, where is the justice in this situation?
The casual declaration of “MAGA town” following the assault reveals a disturbing reality: that some people feel emboldened to act on racist beliefs, and they are comfortable proclaiming their hateful intent. It’s disheartening to see how certain political ideologies seem to be creating an environment where such actions are not only tolerated, but perhaps even encouraged. The couple’s actions, and the context in which they took place, paint a grim picture of a society where hatred is normalized, and minority groups can be targeted because of their identity.
The fact that the individuals involved are described as being older, in their fifties and sixties, adds another layer of concern. This suggests that the roots of such prejudice may run deep, and that this behavior isn’t just about youthful exuberance or a lack of understanding. It appears to reflect ingrained bigotry. It is, frankly, infuriating to consider that these individuals might face relatively minor consequences for their actions. It makes one wonder if such a slap on the wrist merely reinforces the idea that such behavior is acceptable.
The location, Hanover, Pennsylvania, quickly becomes the symbol of the problem. It is seen as a “redneck town”. The comments highlight the fact that these types of incidents are far too common in certain areas, and that the couple’s actions reflect the prevailing attitudes of the community. The phrase “MAGA town” also indicates a significant problem with political affiliation, as well, as it is seemingly meant to connect the town’s character to a particular political movement, and its ideology. This makes it a place where individuals are emboldened to act upon their racial biases.
Many feel that the legal ramifications are inadequate. There’s a strong sentiment that the charges of ethnic intimidation, disorderly conduct, and harassment are far too lenient for such a violent and racially motivated attack. The anger is palpable, fueled by the feeling that this kind of behavior is not being taken seriously enough by the legal system. Many people are calling for the maximum penalties, including a civil suit, and even a federal violation of civil rights to address the harm caused by this act of hate.
There’s also a significant fear that incidents like this will continue to increase. There’s a widespread feeling that the current political climate is fueling hatred. The rise of certain political movements is seen as having provided cover for racist views. This suggests that the current environment is contributing to a worsening of the situation, and that we can anticipate more of this in the future. The conversation turns to self-protection and self-defense for women and marginalized groups, as a result.
The comments also reflect on the role of media. The narrative includes thoughts about how certain media outlets might present the story, and the potential for the victim to be attacked or discredited. There’s a sense that those who commit hate crimes can mobilize their support networks to defend themselves and attack their victims. This suggests a cynicism about the ability of society to address these issues fairly and honestly.
The whole situation reveals a deep fracture within society. It’s a tragic story, illustrating how fear and hatred can be ignited by the political climate. It’s critical that we address this hate head on, by holding perpetrators accountable and by rejecting the ideology that fuels it. It is up to the judicial system, and indeed the entire community, to send a clear message that hate has no place in our society.