May 22, 2017

For Immediate Release

Prince George’s County Councilman Mel Franklin Condemns Murder and Potential Hate Crime at the University of Maryland

Councilman Urges Vigilance Against Hate Groups and the So-Called “Alt-Right” Movement on College Campuses

Contact: Mel@melfranklin.net

Upper Marlboro, MD – On Saturday, May 20 at 3 a.m., Army 2nd Lieutenant Richard Collins III, a Bowie State University senior, was murdered in an unprovoked stabbing attack on the campus of the University of Maryland-College Park.  Authorities have taken Sean Christopher Urbanski, 22, a University of Maryland student, into custody and charged him with first- and second-degree murder.  Urbanski belongs to a Facebook group, since deleted, called “Alt-Reich: Nation,” where members post disparaging material about African-Americans, Jews, and women.  Authorities are investigating whether this is a hate crime and have requested the assistance of the F.B.I.  This incident comes a few weeks after bananas were found hanging from nooses at American University in a racist reaction to the election of American University’s first black student body president.  Additionally, a noose was found a few weeks ago in a fraternity house at the University of Maryland-College Park.  Today, County Councilman Mel Franklin (D-District 9) issued the following statement:

“Lieutenant Richard Collins represented the best of what our county and country are all about — service, excellence and integrity.  His murder was a monstrous act and was motivated by the worst parts of humanity — hatred and bigotry.  On behalf of my constituents, I extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Lieutenant Collins’ family and the Bowie State University and University of Maryland-College Park communities. From incidents on college campuses to attacks on synagogues and mosques, the increase in hateful incidents noted by the Anti-Defamation League since the rise of the so-called “alt-right” in our national politics in the wake of the 2016 Presidential Election should alarm all of us who love diversity and equality.  I urge my fellow Americans against normalizing this hatred disguised as political discourse.  We must remain vigilant, especially on our college campuses, where hate groups often target vulnerable minds and lead them down a destructive path.  Our diversity is one of our Nation’s most valuable assets and greatest strengths.  Let us wrap our collective arms around Lieutenant Collins’ family in this time of unbearable sadness and remember such a wonderful life that was cut way too short.”

Lieutenant Collins received his Army commission as a 2nd lieutenant just two days before his murder and was due to graduate from Bowie State on Tuesday, May 23.

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