We support young victim and his family

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked and violent attack against an innocent pedestrian two weeks ago.

Five teen-aged boys are accused of savagely attacking 16-year-old Isiah S. Clyburn, as Clyburn was walking along Ellis Ferry Road.

Luke Grice, 16; Justin Ashley Phillips, 18; Kenneth Eugene Miller Jr., 17; Christopher Scott Cates, 17; and Jerry Christopher Toney, 17, have been charged with 2nddegree lynching.

This was a horrible incident, one for which there is no excuse, no possible justification.

This type of behavior must not — not now, not ever — be tolerated in a civilized society.

A witness to the incident was able to get Clyburn into his vehicle and called 9-1-1. The young victim suffered not only physical harm but will also no doubt have to deal with the emotional and traumatic scars of this heinous and cowardly act.

We would like for young Mr. Clyburn and his family to know that they have our support and encouragement.

Seventh Circuit Solicitor Trey Gowdy has expressed his intent to prosecute this case vigorously and thoroughly and we certainly support and encourage him and his office in that regard. We would hope the persons responsible for this assault be dealt with harshly and to the fullest extent of the law.

That being said, we feel inclined to touch on some subsequent developments since the night police responded to the scene of the incident in Grassy Pond. There are some indications that civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson or members of his organization might be considering visiting Gaffney to “educate” people here.

We would like to respectfully point out a couple of things.

First, the person who rescued the victim is himself Caucasian. Second, the people who have been charged in this incident are not residents of Gaffney nor Cherokee County.

Rev. Jackson stated that, “I would think most of the citizens of Gaffney would be against this (the attack)...”

He’s certainly right in that regard. Rev. Jackson should be careful, though, not to appear to be condescending and alienate folks who are firmly committed to Isiah’s defense and are prepared to do whatever is within their power to see that an incident like this is never repeated.