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Faulkner County NAACP hosts meeting following fight involving racial slurs at Malys Entertainment in Conway

Two people have now been arrested after a fight involving racial slurs happened over the weekend at the Malys Entertainment center in Conway.

CONWAY, Ark. — On Monday, the Conway Police Department released new information about a fight where people were hurling racial slurs just outside the Malys Entertainment complex.

Police said that two arrests have been made in connection to the incident. A woman named Kelli Kennedy was arrested on Saturday night and faces charges of disorderly conduct and public intoxication. She has also been charged with assault 2nd - misdemeanor B and battery 3rd - Felony D.

After watching several phone videos that have been circulating the internet since that night, police arrested Chucky Don Hartwick on Monday. He faces more serious felony charges of assault and battery.

No other arrests have been made but the investigation is ongoing. All of that emerged at an emergency meeting that was called by the Faulkner County NAACP.

According to viral videos on social media and Conway police, adults made comments to a group of teens outside the entertainment complex. In the video, racial slurs can be heard. 

Monday's meeting gave some of the kid's family members a chance to share their thoughts. Since then, the NAACP has been calling for more to be done by Conway police.

"The purpose of tonight's meeting was to get clarity and to talk about the incident that happened at Maly's," said Latoya Duncan, President of Faulkner County NAACP.

At the meeting, the mother of one of the teens shared her story saying, "I got a Facetime phone call. He's screaming up I need help."

She said she is looking for more to be done by police and by Malys Entertainment.

"I don't care what race you are. Nobody wants a phone call saying Mom I need help," the mother added.

Conway police explained that the investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, a representative for the city of Conway attended Monday night's meeting.

"The overt racism that's been surrounding this has no place in Conway. It certainly doesn't reflect the city, its people, and our values," said City Spokesperson Bobby Kelly.

Malys Entertainment declined to interview but released the following statement, "We are deeply saddened by the violent incident that occurred on Saturday night. We unequivocally condemn the acts that took place and will not stand for any form of violence or racism towards our staff or patrons. We want our community to know that we are fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigation and are taking all steps necessary to ensure Malys remains a safe and enjoyable place for all. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families during this difficult time."

Now, in an effort to bring change, the NAACP is pushing for more conversation.

"We don't like chaos. We want to handle everything with decency and in order. That's what we're going to do here but that doesn't mean that we're not going to make noise because we want something to happen," Duncan said.

In an effort to bring legislative change, the NAACP also encouraged voter registration.

Organization leaders are also pushing for changes surrounding Malys' alcohol and security policies. 

Dozens in attendance at Monday night's meeting said they are planning to attend the Conway city board meeting Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

   

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