Backers of an online petition calling for hate crime charges against a Fitchburg man say they have almost 4,000 signatures so far.
65-year-old David Lythjohan is accused of attacking a Black woman and her kids in a Woodman’s parking lot last week in Madison.
Lythjohan told police he was upset with 32-year-old Toshiana Northington because her car was blocking him from pulling out of a parking stall.
She says he punched her and threw one of her children to the ground.
Lythjohan was taken into custody on suspicion of battery and disorderly conduct.
Petition signers want the hate crime charge to be added.
