Lewis and Clark student assaulted describes race-based attack, says he reported it to police right away | OregonLive.com

Lewis & Clark College student Tanguy Muvuna had worked out in a dorm gym, grabbed a late night snack at a campus café, brought some food back for a friend and then went out for a walk to get some fresh air.

It was about 12:15 a.m. Saturday when the 26-year-old from Rwanda headed to the campus Estate Gardens. He reached the flag pole to the east of the reflecting pool by the outdoor swimming pool and started walking back on the lawn toward his dorm when three men suddenly appeared from the south.

He said they walked up to him and asked, "What's up?'' and called him the N- word. Muvuna laughed, thinking it was a joke.

But then one of the men slapped Muvuna in the face and Muvuna responded by pushing him. One of the others punched him in the face and said something like, "That's how we're going to show you how we treat the black man,'' according to Muvuna.

Muvuna punched him back, when a third man grabbed him from behind and held his arms and threatened, "You are going to die tonight.'' His three attackers were all white, Muvuna said.

Muvuna is a student in the college's English Studies program and the 2015-2016 recipient of the school's Roméo Dallaire Scholarship intended to honor the former commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to Rwanda. Muvuna was selected for his human rights work in his native country.

He said he was speaking out Sunday night about the attack to correct the Portland police version of events.

Muvuna struggled to break free from his attackers and screamed, but no one seemed to be around, he said. He couldn't make out everything the men were saying, but did catch other derogatory racial remarks, including: "The blacks, they're going to know they shouldn't be here.''

The men kicked him, trying to knock him to the ground, he said. One of them placed a hand around his neck and tried to choke him and another tried to pour a liquid into his mouth from a small bottle, he said. He described the liquid as initially tasting sweet, then sour.

He swallowed a bit of it, but spit out the rest in the face of one of his attackers.

The man holding him from behind began laughing and Muvuna was finally able to break loose. He ran back to his dorm. It was about 12:40 a.m. Saturday. He called out to a friend and raced to a bathroom. He stuck a finger down his mouth to try to throw up, unsure what the liquid was he swallowed.

A friend called campus security. A Portland police patrol officer and emergency medical workers arrived. He declined an offer to go to the hospital -- he's been in the U.S. less than three months and has never been to a hospital here. He said he thought he was OK.  

Another officer arrived about an hour later, and a Portland detective showed up at his dorm about 2 or 3 a.m., awakening Muvuna, and took a full statement from him, he said.

Muvuna said the police account of when the attack occurred was wrong. A police press release Saturday said the assault occurred at 9 p.m. Friday and the victim waited until 12:49 a.m. Saturday to report it to police.

Muvuna didn't delay making a report and is disturbed about the discrepancy, he said. Sgt. Pete Simpson, the Portland Police Bureau spokesman, said during the weekend that the release was based on information in the police report.

Muvuna said he gave police descriptions of the men who assaulted him and believes he can identify at least one of them from a photo. Police have reached out to him to try to draw a composite sketch of the assailants and are investigating the attack as a potential hate crime.

Muvuna's face was swollen right after the attack, he said. He was limping Sunday night -- caused by the men's kicks, he said.

He came to Lewis & Clark College on Aug. 24. He has a bachelor's degree in law from Kigali Independent University, where he started a student human rights association. He also volunteered with Rwanda's national commission for the fight against genocide, according to the college. He's written a book on Rwandan history with his father and teaches traditional dance, according to Lewis & Clark College.

The scholarship was set up to honor the work and vision of Roméo Dallaire, former commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, a retired Canadian army lieutenant-general, a senator and humanitarian.

"While studying and living with other students from throughout the United States and around the world, scholarship recipients experience firsthand the history and habits of diverse cultures even as they share with others their own traditions, customs, insights and beliefs,'' according to the college.

 

What is Yik Yak, anyways?A controversial social media site most adults haven't heard of has caused fear and unrest on college campuses across the country. Watch to find out what Yik Yak is and how it works.Muvuna's assault comes in the wake of campus protests tied to racist and threatening comments posted last week on the social media site Yik Yak and amid similar demonstrations at other U.S. colleges.

Muvuna said he intends to complete his year of studies at the college and not let the attack change his view of people or the school.

"I have many friends here, black friends and white friends,'' Muvuna said. "I'm not angry. I'm not upset. I love everyone here. I love the white people. I love the black people here. ... Many white people here, they are not racists. ... I'm safe. I'm safe here.''

But he said he wants those who assaulted him, apparently because of the color of his skin, to be held responsible for what they did and to face arrest. And he wants police to respond appropriately.

"I don't have time to hate people,'' Muvuna said. "I have time to love people.''

-- Maxine Bernstein

mbernstein@oregonian.com503-221-8212@maxoregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/11/lewis_and_clark_student_attack.html