MILWAUKEE (AP) — An attorney who spat on a high school student during an anti-racism rally and march in a Milwaukee suburb has been charged with a hate crime.
Lawyer Stephanie Rapkin, who is white, showed up at the protest last Saturday in Shorewood and parked her car in the street, blocking the march.
When protesters approached her to urge her to move her car, video shows Rapkin spitting on a black teen, Eric Lucas, a junior at Shorewood High School. The 17-year-old helped organize and lead the march.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office has charged Rapkin with disorderly conduct as a hate crime and battery to a police officer.
According to the criminal complaint, Rapkin told an investigating officer she was a cancer survivor and felt threatened because she was surrounded by protesters who were not wearing coronavirus protective masks. Video shows Rapkin did not wear a mask.
Shorewood police went to Rapkin’s home the following day in response to an altercation. She resisted arrest and kneed one officer in the groin, the complaint said.
State Rep. David Bowen attended the protest Saturday and called for Rapkin to be disbarred.
Rapkin did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment and the phone to her law office rang busy.
