Race dialogue forums planned in Bangor

The victim of an apparent racially motivated assault on the Bangor waterfront last month plans to hold a series of five open forums on race on consecutive Sundays beginning April 22.

The gatherings will be held at 3 p.m. each Sunday at the Peace and Justice Center in Bangor at 170 Park St. in Bangor.

Leading the discussion will be Assata Sherrill, a 53-year-old black woman from Bangor who reportedly had rocks and racial epithets hurled at her while she walked her dog on the waterfront.

Bangor police have charged two teenage males with disorderly conduct, and the state Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against the pair under the Maine Civil Rights Act.

The act defines physical force or violence or the threat of violence motivated by bias based upon race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation as a hate crime.

Sherrill, a mother of four and grandmother of two, is raising her youngest daughter in Bangor. She said in a press release announcing the forums that she has encountered many instances where people have approached her or her daughter out of curiosity in regard to their race.

Sherrill said she wants to hold the forums to address the community and answer any questions anyone may have in regard to myths or beliefs about African-Americans.

Sherrill also welcomes members of any other minority group who would like to be heard during the forums.