A series of hate letters sent to three NAACP chapters has local leaders concerned that the attacks are part of a larger conspiracy against the organization.
“Someone or some group is trying to intimidate us, but it?s backfiring on them,” said Marvin “Doc” Cheatham Sr., president of the Baltimore Chapter.
Cheatham said the FBI told him that ? contrary to what he initially thought ? the letter he opened specifically mentioned his chapter.
“I thought it was more generic, but I found out yesterday it was directed at the Baltimore branch,” he said Tuesday.
On Friday, Cheatham opened a letter filled with white powder. The letter contained racial epithets, Cheatham said. Initially, police suspected the substance was anthrax, but later learned it was boric acid, a pesticide that is toxic only if ingested.
Cheatham said his organization will be taking extra precautions to ensure the mail is handled safely.
“Right now we?re not opening mail: We?re looking to establish new procedures for handling it,” he said.
FBI Special Agent Michelle Crnkovich said all four letters originated from Baton Rouge, La. Crnkovich said FBI was treating the incident as a hate crime.
“It?s a serious crime because the intent was to scare, frighten somebody,” she said.
To date, letters have been sent to the New York, Atlanta and Baltimore branches of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Three separate letters also were sent to the Norfolk, Va., branch of the FBI. Preliminary investigation indicates that all the letters contained boric acid.
The investigation now moves to Louisiana. Crnkovich said the FBI field office in New Orleans will be taking the lead.
“We?ll be forwarding all our evidence to that office,” she said.
For Cheatham, the experience has forced him to reconsider retirement.
“I had given thoughts before this incident, that I was not going to seek re-election, but now I?m running,” he said. “You don?t scare me away from this.”
