One of the country's oldest nonprofit theater companies had to hire a private security detail after its artistic director began receiving death threats. She shared her story — and an outpouring of support followed.
Ashland Mayor Julie Akins said she learned about the threats to Garrett during one of her regular meetings with OSF executive director David Schmitz a few weeks before the NPR story came out on Sept. 28. At first, Akins said she did nothing with the news.
Spurred by the media attention after NPR's story and after talking with OSF, she read out a statement in a city council meeting on Oct. 4 condemning the attacks and vowing to work towards making Ashland, a city of roughly 21,000 residents, around which 90% are white, a safer and more equitable place.
Akins also engaged the local police force. Police chief Tighe O'Meara said he had no knowledge of the threats until he learned about them through NPR's coverage. He said representatives from the police department and the theater company are now planning to hold regular meetings with a view to improving the safety of both company members and the public.