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

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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.

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