Thousands of South Africans have signed a petition demanding that a white student at Stellenbosch University be expelled for urinating on the belongings of a Black student.By Tuesday afternoon, approximately 50,000 people had signed a petition to deport Theuns Du Toit, who had urinated on Babalo Ndwayana's desk, textbooks, and laptop at the hall of residence.

"This was a racially motivated attack, and in response to his actions," according to the petition posted on Change.org. Du Toit claimed that "this is what we do to Black boys."

Many people on social media have compared the episode to decades of racist hatred directed at Black South Africans during the apartheid era, which ended in 1994.

According to media reports, the event occurred on Sunday but was only discovered Monday when the victim tweeted a video of Du Toit urinating on his possessions after entering his Huis Marais room.

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A white student urinates all over a black first year students room, claims this what 'they' do to black boys. I cannot keep quiet about this, justice need to be served. I urge you to play your part so this cannot be covered up <a href="https://t.co/kbPVZuP6YT">pic.twitter.com/kbPVZuP6YT</a>
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"It was traumatising and I feel my dignity was taken away. But I would forgive him," Ndwayana told local media.

According to the university, Du Toit has been suspended while the incident is investigated, and further action will be taken based on the conclusion of the investigation.

The university should expel Du Toit, according to the petitioners, because he has violated another student's human dignity and should be removed from the school.

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Thousands of South Africans have signed a petition demanding that a white student at Stellenbosch University be expelled for urinating on the belongings of a Black student.

Thousands of South Africans have signed a petition demanding that a white student at Stellenbosch University be expelled for urinating on the belongings of a Black student.By Tuesday afternoon, approximately 50,000 people had signed a petition to deport Theuns Du Toit, who had urinated on Babalo Ndwayana's desk, textbooks, and laptop at the hall of residence. "This was a racially motivated attack, and in response to his actions," according to the petition posted on Change.org. Du Toit claimed that "this is what we do to Black boys." Many people on social media have compared the episode to decades of racist hatred directed at Black South Africans during the apartheid era, which ended in 1994. According to media reports, the event occurred on Sunday but was only discovered Monday when the victim tweeted a video of Du Toit urinating on his possessions after entering his Huis Marais room. #StellenboschUniversity A white student urinates all over a black first year students room, claims this what 'they' do to black boys. I cannot keep quiet about this, justice need to be served. I urge you to play your part so this cannot be covered up pic.twitter.com/kbPVZuP6YT — Simangaliso (@Wanda_Smash) May 15, 2022 × "It was traumatising and I feel my dignity was taken away. But I would forgive him," Ndwayana told local media. According to the university, Du Toit has been suspended while the incident is investigated, and further action will be taken based on the conclusion of the investigation. The university should expel Du Toit, according to the petitioners, because he has violated another student's human dignity and should be removed from the school. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

South Africa: White student urinates on Black student’s belongings; faces expulsion

In 2020, hate crimes in the United States rose to the highest level in more than a decade, largely driven by a spike in assaults against people of Asian and African heritage, an FBI report has stated.

According to the annual report released on Monday, more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies across the country identified 7,759 hate crimes in 2020, a 6 per cent rise than 2019—the highest tally since 2008.

In a year that saw huge Black Lives Matter protests highlighting problems of racism in the country, reports of hate crimes against Black Americans rose 40 per cent, from 1,972 in the year 2019 to 2,755 in the year 2020, the data showed.

Meanwhile, attacks against Asian Americans surged 70 per cent with 274 incidents in 2020 against 161 in 2019—a trend that has been linked to the rhetoric that blames Asian people for the spread of Covid-19.

Of the 7,426 hate crime offences classified as crimes against people, as opposed to crimes against property, 53.4 per cent were for intimidation, 27.6 per cent were for simple assault and 18.1 per cent were for aggravated assault. Twenty-two murders and 19 rapes were reported as hate crimes.

While crimes against black Americans did not see as large a spike from 2019, there were 2,755 reported incidents, making African Americans the largest victim category.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-men-executed-in-1951-rape-granted-posthumous-pardons-409967">Black men executed in 1951 rape granted posthumous pardons</a>

The FBI said nearly 62 per cent of victims were attacked due to race or ethnicity biases. Offences based on religion and sexual orientation were the next most common, at around 13 per cent and 20 per cent.

The offences were often were classified as intimidation. Of the over 6,400 known offenders, 55% were white.&nbsp;

The US Justice Department has warned that white supremacist groups represent a rising security threat after the deadly January 6 assault on the US Capitol.

In May this year, United States President Joe Biden signed a law that aims to address a rising number of anti-Asian attacks.

The legislation made the reporting of hate crimes more accessible at the local and state levels by boosting public outreach and ensuring reporting resources are available online in multiple languages.

It also directs the Department of Justice to designate a point person to expedite the review of hate crimes related to COVID-19 and authorizes grants to state and local governments to conduct crime-reduction programs to prevent and respond to hate crimes.

(With inputs from agencies)

In 2020, hate crimes in the United States rose to the highest level in more than a decade, largely driven by a spike in assaults against people of Asian and African heritage, an FBI report has stated.

In 2020, hate crimes in the United States rose to the highest level in more than a decade, largely driven by a spike in assaults against people of Asian and African heritage, an FBI report has stated. According to the annual report released on Monday, more than 15,000 law enforcement agencies across the country identified 7,759 hate crimes in 2020, a 6 per cent rise than 2019—the highest tally since 2008. In a year that saw huge Black Lives Matter protests highlighting problems of racism in the country, reports of hate crimes against Black Americans rose 40 per cent, from 1,972 in the year 2019 to 2,755 in the year 2020, the data showed. Meanwhile, attacks against Asian Americans surged 70 per cent with 274 incidents in 2020 against 161 in 2019—a trend that has been linked to the rhetoric that blames Asian people for the spread of Covid-19. Of the 7,426 hate crime offences classified as crimes against people, as opposed to crimes against property, 53.4 per cent were for intimidation, 27.6 per cent were for simple assault and 18.1 per cent were for aggravated assault. Twenty-two murders and 19 rapes were reported as hate crimes. While crimes against black Americans did not see as large a spike from 2019, there were 2,755 reported incidents, making African Americans the largest victim category. Also read | Black men executed in 1951 rape granted posthumous pardons The FBI said nearly 62 per cent of victims were attacked due to race or ethnicity biases. Offences based on religion and sexual orientation were the next most common, at around 13 per cent and 20 per cent. The offences were often were classified as intimidation. Of the over 6,400 known offenders, 55% were white. The US Justice Department has warned that white supremacist groups represent a rising security threat after the deadly January 6 assault on the US Capitol. In May this year, United States President Joe Biden signed a law that aims to address a rising number of anti-Asian attacks. The legislation made the reporting of hate crimes more accessible at the local and state levels by boosting public outreach and ensuring reporting resources are available online in multiple languages. It also directs the Department of Justice to designate a point person to expedite the review of hate crimes related to COVID-19 and authorizes grants to state and local governments to conduct crime-reduction programs to prevent and respond to hate crimes. (With inputs from agencies)

Hate crimes in US spiked 6% in 2020, highest in 12 years: FBI report

Derek Chauvin, Former Minneapolis Officer, was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the US.

Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades. The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. 
 
Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-george-floyd-whose-fall-fuelled-a-complete-movement-368697">In Pics: George Floyd, whose fall, fuelled a complete movement</a> 
 
A crowd gathered outside the heavily guarded downtown Minneapolis courtroom erupted in cheers, and some wept tears of relief when the verdicts were announced after a three-week trial that had an entire nation on edge.

Chauvin, who had been free on bail, was put in handcuffs after Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill read out the unanimous verdicts reached by the racially diverse, seven-woman five-man jury.

Wearing a facemask and displaying no visible emotion, Chauvin was escorted out of the courtroom by a deputy as one of Floyd's brothers, Philonise Floyd, embraced prosecutors.

Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison on the most serious charge -- second-degree murder. Sentencing will be at a later date.

The 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force was seen on video kneeling on the neck of Floyd for more than nine minutes as he lay face down and handcuffed on the ground saying repeatedly "I can't breathe."

The 46-year-old Floyd's death during his May 25, 2020 arrest for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality around the world.

Ahead of the verdict, cities across the United States had been braced for potential unrest and National Guard troops have been deployed in Minneapolis.

George Floyd's brother Rodney told AFP that Black people in America had been victims of deadly injustice at the hands of the authorities for hundreds of years.

"We needed a victory, in this case, it's very important, and we got it and hey, we might breathe a little bit better now," he added.

President Joe Biden called members of the Floyd family to say he was "relieved" by the verdicts, then later he and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation in televised remarks.

"This can be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America," Biden said, as he called on citizens to "unite" against racism and violence.

Harris, America's first female and first Black vice president, told the family it was "a day of justice in America," and that "history will look back at this moment."

- 'Turning point' -

Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump hailed the conviction as a landmark victory for civil rights and a springboard to legislation currently before Congress to reform police forces in their dealings with minorities.&nbsp;

"This verdict is a turning point in history and sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement," Crump tweeted.

"Justice for Black America is justice for all of America!"

Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, said "a jury did the right thing" but "true justice requires much more."

Three other former police officers involved in Floyd's arrest are to go on trial later this year.

Minneapolis has been tensely awaiting the Chauvin verdict and the city has seen nightly protests since Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot dead in a suburb of the Minnesota city on April 11 by a white policewoman.

In Washington, the National Guard said some 250 troops were being deployed "to support local law enforcement" in response to potential demonstrations.

Prosecutors, in closing arguments Monday, showed excerpts from the harrowing bystander video of Floyd's death that was seen by millions around the world.

"This case is exactly what you thought when you saw it first when you saw that video," prosecutor Steve Schleicher told the jury.&nbsp;

"You can believe your eyes," Schleicher said. "It's exactly what you knew, it's what you felt in your gut, it's what you now know in your heart."

"This wasn't policing, this was murder," Schleicher added. "Nine minutes and 29 seconds of shocking abuse of authority."

Much of the evidence phase of the trial involved testimony from medical experts about Floyd's cause of death.

A retired forensic pathologist called by the defence said Floyd died of cardiac arrest brought on by heart disease and the illegal drugs fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died from a lack of oxygen from Chauvin's knee on his neck and that drugs were not a factor.

Among the 38 witnesses who testified for the prosecution were some of the bystanders who watched Floyd's arrest and pleaded with Chauvin to get off him.

Darnella Frazier, the teenager who took the video that went viral, said Floyd was "scared" and "begging for his life."

"It wasn't right. He was suffering," Frazier said.

US Senator Tim Scott, one of just three Black Republicans in Congress, said there was "no question" that the jury rendered the right decision.

"While this outcome should give us renewed confidence in the integrity of our justice system, we know there is more work to be done to ensure the bad apples do not define all officers," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Derek Chauvin, Former Minneapolis Officer, was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the US.

Derek Chauvin, Former Minneapolis Officer, was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man’s neck in a case that touched off worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the US. Chauvin, 45, could be sent to prison for decades. The jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In Pics: George Floyd, whose fall, fuelled a complete movement A crowd gathered outside the heavily guarded downtown Minneapolis courtroom erupted in cheers, and some wept tears of relief when the verdicts were announced after a three-week trial that had an entire nation on edge. Chauvin, who had been free on bail, was put in handcuffs after Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill read out the unanimous verdicts reached by the racially diverse, seven-woman five-man jury. Wearing a facemask and displaying no visible emotion, Chauvin was escorted out of the courtroom by a deputy as one of Floyd's brothers, Philonise Floyd, embraced prosecutors. Chauvin faces up to 40 years in prison on the most serious charge -- second-degree murder. Sentencing will be at a later date. The 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force was seen on video kneeling on the neck of Floyd for more than nine minutes as he lay face down and handcuffed on the ground saying repeatedly "I can't breathe." The 46-year-old Floyd's death during his May 25, 2020 arrest for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality around the world. Ahead of the verdict, cities across the United States had been braced for potential unrest and National Guard troops have been deployed in Minneapolis. George Floyd's brother Rodney told AFP that Black people in America had been victims of deadly injustice at the hands of the authorities for hundreds of years. "We needed a victory, in this case, it's very important, and we got it and hey, we might breathe a little bit better now," he added. President Joe Biden called members of the Floyd family to say he was "relieved" by the verdicts, then later he and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation in televised remarks. "This can be a giant step forward in the march towards justice in America," Biden said, as he called on citizens to "unite" against racism and violence. Harris, America's first female and first Black vice president, told the family it was "a day of justice in America," and that "history will look back at this moment." - 'Turning point' - Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump hailed the conviction as a landmark victory for civil rights and a springboard to legislation currently before Congress to reform police forces in their dealings with minorities. "This verdict is a turning point in history and sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement," Crump tweeted. "Justice for Black America is justice for all of America!" Barack Obama, the nation's first Black president, said "a jury did the right thing" but "true justice requires much more." Three other former police officers involved in Floyd's arrest are to go on trial later this year. Minneapolis has been tensely awaiting the Chauvin verdict and the city has seen nightly protests since Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was shot dead in a suburb of the Minnesota city on April 11 by a white policewoman. In Washington, the National Guard said some 250 troops were being deployed "to support local law enforcement" in response to potential demonstrations. Prosecutors, in closing arguments Monday, showed excerpts from the harrowing bystander video of Floyd's death that was seen by millions around the world. "This case is exactly what you thought when you saw it first when you saw that video," prosecutor Steve Schleicher told the jury. "You can believe your eyes," Schleicher said. "It's exactly what you knew, it's what you felt in your gut, it's what you now know in your heart." "This wasn't policing, this was murder," Schleicher added. "Nine minutes and 29 seconds of shocking abuse of authority." Much of the evidence phase of the trial involved testimony from medical experts about Floyd's cause of death. A retired forensic pathologist called by the defence said Floyd died of cardiac arrest brought on by heart disease and the illegal drugs fentanyl and methamphetamine. Medical experts for the prosecution said Floyd died from a lack of oxygen from Chauvin's knee on his neck and that drugs were not a factor. Among the 38 witnesses who testified for the prosecution were some of the bystanders who watched Floyd's arrest and pleaded with Chauvin to get off him. Darnella Frazier, the teenager who took the video that went viral, said Floyd was "scared" and "begging for his life." "It wasn't right. He was suffering," Frazier said. US Senator Tim Scott, one of just three Black Republicans in Congress, said there was "no question" that the jury rendered the right decision. "While this outcome should give us renewed confidence in the integrity of our justice system, we know there is more work to be done to ensure the bad apples do not define all officers," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

US ex-cop Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder, manslaughter in the death of George Floyd