Feedback: Another view on flag incident

I am writing to correct bias and errors in your recent front page article entitled, “Peace protester assaulted,” (WNT April 9). I was a witness some 10 feet from the scene.

First of all, Marshal Marlborough was not the arresting officer. Rather it was officer Durley. Consequently the marshal’s observations were not completely accurate. The assailant didn’t just “drive by.” He sped around the corner missing me by less than a foot and stopped with one wheel on the curb.

The victim in the case didn’t just jump on the hood of the car. She stood in front of the car pleading without avail for the return of her peace flag. The assailant began pushing her backwards with his car. It was then that she jumped on the hood of his car.

Your article was extremely biased in reporting the press release of the assailant’s lawyer without contacting the victim. Mr. Hawkins’ report, as cited, was erroneous in several aspects.

First, the assailant was definitely out of control. He was very angry, aggressive, shouting and he pushed the victim aside to get the flag.

Second, there were not several people yelling to pick up the flag. I was perhaps closest to the scene and I heard no such yelling.

Third, the assailant didn’t just “inch forward” with the victim on the hood as you reported. He drove off at considerable speed and turned sharply into the next drive so that I heard his tires squeal — not exactly “inching forward.”

I must, of course, recognize that Mr. Hawkins, whom I consider an honorable man, may well have been mis-quoted by your reporter. This would not have been the first such instance.

Finally, let me ask if it is really necessary for a small town paper to put out such a biased and incorrect report? Can’t you do better? Perhaps all reporters, today, are trained this way — to be biased and sensational. If so, we need to clean house and start over.

Roland F. Gray

Oak Harbor

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