COUER D’ALENE, Idaho – While walking the streets of Couer d’Alene the Utah women’s basketball team encountered what they called a racial hate crime.
The team walked from their hotel at the Couer d’Alene Resort to a local favorite restaurant, Crafted Tap House + Kitchen on Thursday.
Along the way, they encountered a truck on Sherman Avenue displaying a confederate flag then began to yell racial slurs at the women.
After dining at Crafted, the women left, only to be followed to their hotel by more men who continued in making racial remarks towards them.
Owner of Crafted Tap House + Kitchen responded to the incident in a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened about the actions that took place in Coeur d’Alene this week. There is no place for hate like this, especially in a city that offers so much love.”
Other local businesses in the same area also felt the impacts of the hate. One business owner nearby said that this does not reflect who they are as a community.
“The actions of a few cowardly idiots have once again left a nasty mark on a place that is beautiful almost all of the time,” Rob Berger, Crafted’s owner said. “However, the word almost isn’t acceptable in this regard. As a community, we must come together to obliterate these hateful feelings and the people that possess them once and for all.”
The businesses along Sherman Avenue are working alongside law enforcement to work towards identifying the individuals involved in the incident.
A link to the restaurants full statement regarding the incident can be found here.
