Unjust Conviction: Black Oregon Firefighter Found Guilty by All-White Jury After Defending Himself Against Racist Assault

Last summer, an Oregon wildfire firefighter, Brian “Hakyim” Simpson, was sentenced to nearly six years in prison after defending himself against what he claims was a racially motivated assault. The incident began when the assailant, Brandon Olson, issued a barrage of slurs, including the N-word, while under the influence of illicit substances, according to court documents.Now incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Facility, Simpson was convicted of second-degree assault by an all-white jury. His supporters have launched a petition, amassing over 3,000 signatures, urging Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for a review of the verdict. “This is wrong... it's racially motivated,” said Rakwaun “RaRa” Bivens, a longtime friend. Simpson's case echoes concerns of racial bias in the justice system, particularly given his past as a community leader in Cincinnati.