Authorities investigating racist postcards targeting Hispanics

United States Postal Inspectors are working with the Milwaukee Police Department in the investigation regarding racist postcards targeting Hispanics.

Business owners want something to be done, which is why they organized a community meeting at Salon Fiesta on Greenfield Avenue in Milwaukee's south side. They also plan to send Mayor Tom Barrett a letter.

Many of the business owners targeted live in Alderman José Perez's district.

"The constituents are offended, which they should be and there's also some fear that this may escalate," Perez said. "We don't want that to happen and that's why the police is involved."

Perez said he has also contacted the Milwaukee Police Department and encourages people to report if they receive one of these postcards.

"I know that they are investigating to see if any ordinance or state statute has been violated and if and when that happens I have all the confidence that police will take all the right measures and hold that person accountable," Perez said.

Jaime Alvarado, with Rid Racism Milwaukee said these postcards could be protected under free speech. However, the author may face charges if it's determined that the message threatens others.

"Sometimes there's speech that we don't like but it's an important right and we feel that hate speech is different," Alvarado said. "It's something that affects many groups whether it's black, Latinos, Asians, It's something that we will not tolerate."