With cars and busses whizzing by, the New Black Panthers held a press conference outside the Columbia City Hill yesterday. During the conference the group called for a June 2 murder to be declared a hate crime by officials from the president to local government.

Law enforcement has called a community meeting for tomorrow.

On June 2, Hill was shot in the head by Gregory Collins and then Collins dragged Hill’s body.

The black militant group also said they would be in Newberry on Saturday, July 17 to march from Wise Street Park to City Hall with a list of 10 demands.

One demand calls for the murder of Anthony Hill to be declared a hate crime.

“We will tell for it to be a hate crime and make American do what we want it to do,“ said New Black Panther leader Minister Hashim Nzinga.

The group says they will die for its causes, and say that after 34 days, no indictment has been filed against Collins.

Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace says following the S.C. Chief Justice Case Management procedures that Collins is not set for his first appearance in court until Aug. 6 and will not be on the court docket until Sept. 3.

Peace adds that he likes for the investigation into crimes to be complete before a suspect makes a court appearance.

The investigation into the June 2 murder is ongoing according to law enforcement.

The group, which received national media for their racially-charged issues under the guise of championing civil rights, also wants to encourage an increase in the economy and health of the area.

They claim that the intake of black males into the county jail is 87 percent and false felonies are being placed against black males so they lose their right to vote.

“(Black males) can’t control who leads,“ said Nzinga.

However, the year-to-date ratio on African Americans that have been housed at the local jail is 56.39 percent according to the Sheriff’s Office staff, which says that nationally, the ratio is higher for blacks to be in jail.

“We don’t put people in jail for their race, gender or ethnicity,“ said Sheriff Lee Foster. “We put people in jail based on the violation of the law and the committing of the crime.“

The group claimed it was time for long time Mayor Ed Kyzer, who recently announced his retirement, to retire and for people to challenge Sheriff Lee Foster for his office and claim he is a “hypocrite to the badge.“

“The best tool is the stroke of the pen when voting,“ said Nzinga.

Local resident Tiffany Gibson said at the press conference that it is time for the community to band together to be heard.

The group also plans to ask how much stimulus money came in to Newberry.

They also vow to stop gangs in Newberry, saying that when a gang person kills another that two people are taken out of society with one dead and one in jail.

The militant group is also asking for people to donate funds to the children of Anthony Hill by giving to a bank account at Wachovia.

Hill’s estranged wife, Aurel Hill, says her children are asking for their father and it hurts her to tell them he is out of town and to have to lie to them.

The group also said their earlier march had been cancelled because The Observer reported they did not have the needed city permits.

Nzinga said he was going to see Newberry Police Chief Jackie Swindler to fill out the permits.

Swindler said the group picked up a permit application. Swindler has the right to accept or deny granting the permit.

The New Black Panthers outrage march is scheduled for July 17 at 3 p.m. with plans to travel from Wise Street Park to City Hall.

In response to the racial uprising in the community and questions about the murder, state, federal and local law enforcement officials are holding a community meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. to answer the community questions.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at the Newberry High School auditorium at 3113 Main St., Newberry.