One of two victims of a racial hate crime in Manitowoc last week decides to tell her story.
Appearing on WOMT’s “Be My Guest”, she said last Thursday was like any other normal day. She took her family to Walmart, and everyone was joking around and having a good time. That is when she saw what she thought it was just some sort of an advertising flyer.
While she initially ignored the red piece of paper, as she put it, “Something just told me to look at it real quick. So I looked at it, and it said, ‘Federal N-word hunting license’.” She went back inside the store to inform management what had occurred. Their initial reaction was in her words “one of shock and disbelief” with a promise to help her find out who committed this heinous act.
The victim contacted police the following day admitting she was simply overwhelmed trying to figure out what the next step would be. Police went to Walmart and with the help of Security camera footage they were able to match the description of a vehicle to be that of the suspect.
The suspect 47-year-old Cathleen A. Yauch of Manitowoc was arrested last Saturday admitting to authorities she committed the crime. The victim says her children are hurt, confused and fully aware of what has happened. She said that her son goes out and about and, “Unfortunately the way it has to be for him, I have to have these conversations with him so he remains safe. No other parent has to have that conversation with their kid.”
What she hopes for by deciding to speak out is a “deep thought-provoking conversation” to get to the root of this in her words “very sensitive issue.” She said that it has to happen with “open minded people first and foremost. This conversation doesn’t have to have two people bumping heads and arguing and bickering back and forth.” Then after the conversation, “A solution needs to happen.”
Manitowoc Police Chief Nick Reimer says “This does not represent our community. These people exist but the vast majority of Manitowoc is very supportive of cultural diversity and inclusion. Our community Is an excellent community.” Yauch has been charged with Making a Terrorist Threat with a Hate Crime Enhancer and three counts of Bail Jumping. She is due back in court for an initial appearance October 5, 2020.
