Madison Police Investigating Racist Zoom Bombing of Diversity Group’s Meeting
Police are investigating an incident that took place on June 3 during a Madison Diversity and Inclusion Committee (MDIC) meeting on anti-racism, attended online by about 70 people.
The meeting, on Zoom, was interrupted by racist images, language, and video. That meeting was abandoned and the organizers quickly regrouped and resumed the meeting, this time without interruption, to discuss what happened.
“There is an investigation into that,” Madison Police Department (MPD) Captain Joe Race said of the Zoom bombing incident, adding that the entire meeting was not recorded, but that snippets of the meeting were captured, aiding in the investigation.
He said the department is taking statements in connection with the investigation, and examining cyber evidence as well.
Joyce Gendler, who chairs the MDIC, wrote on Facebook that those responsible used “racist, graphic, and deeply offensive images, language, and video” to disrupt the meeting.
“Last night was a reminder of just how necessary the work of education, conversation, and action around anti-racism is in Madison and our neighboring towns, some of which were represented in the conversation,” Gendler continued. “It was also a reminder of how committed so many people in this community are to making change happen—especially the young people whose voices rose above all others during our follow up.”
The meeting continued, according to Gendler, with all participants moving into a new virtual meeting “within an hour.”
“We will be hosting another learning meeting on anti-racism in the coming weeks, and will share details and a secured registration process as soon as we can,” she wrote. “[W]e received powerful feedback about not only better protecting future virtual meetings, but better representing voices of color in our leadership and facilitation—and we look forward to rising to that challenge.”
Race said anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the Police Department Detective Unit at 203-245-6500.
Gloss