Officials are investigating after a virtual memorial service was infiltrated by racist hackers.
What We Know:
- Last Tuesday, at around 10 a.m., an online memorial service was held for Phoenix civil rights activist Calvin Coolidge Goode. According to AP, the service was live-streamed online by the Historic Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Facebook amidst the growing pandemic.
- Just 20 minutes into the ceremony, at least two hackers interrupted the stream and shouted racial slurs. AZ Central reports that Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was in the middle of her remarks when the incident occurred.
Shortly after the service, Gallego tweeted, “I condemn the racists who disrupted Vice Mayor Goode’s funeral services. This is horrific and does not represent the values & commitment of our community. I am determined to continue Vice Mayor Goode’s fight.”
- Goode was the second Black councilmember for the city of Phoenix and served on the Phoenix City Council from Jan. 2, 1972, until Jan. 3, 1994. During that time, he also served as vice mayor in 1974 and 1984. He was most known for his efforts to improve impoverished areas of the city, support disadvantaged youths, and fight discrimination. Goode died on Dec. 23, from an undisclosed illness, at the age of 93.
- Now, the Phoenix Police Department is working with FBI investigators to identify the hackers. Spokeswoman Maggie Cox stated in an email, “This type of language and disruption is unacceptable and only divides our community. We are committed to working with our community in identifying the person(s) responsible for this act.”
Goode spent his life’s work fighting racism and deserves justice for this hateful act.
