Small town Shenandoah, Pennsylvania is making big news for a crime that rattled the area. .And now the crime is creating ripples of reaction across America. A lesson to learn: The new world of small town news making it big is alive and well, no matter what the local authorities would wish. Luis Ramirez was beaten last weekend by a group of youths after some type of altercation. .Witnesses interviewed by the Pottsville REPUBLICAN HERALD said that there was a racial overtone to the crime. Ramirez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico living in Shenandoah, died days after the beating.. The Pottsville REPUBLICAN has covered the crime extensively,, most including reporting that local authorities didn't see any overt ties to a racial motive. By midnight, no one was arrested.. reports of what youths it may have been have both confused and infuriated the area. Local authorities haven't provided many answers, yet. And now.. The news has gone national with the Associated Press reporting on the matter .. The AP interviewed Ramirez's girlfriend, who said, "People in this town are very racist toward Hispanic people. They think right away if you're Mexican, you're illegal, and you're no good." The AP reports that while no one was arrested, the police are interviewing youths, including members of the football team.. The POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN issuing a cry for action this weekend in their editorial. Titled, "Fatal beating cries out for justice to be served", the REPUBLiCAN writes,

"..So the idea of someone walking home in Schuylkill County on a warm summer night being accosted, taunted and beaten to death is, well, preposterous. "This is America, land of immigrants, the great melting pot, beacon of democracy, liberty — and tolerance. "Maybe it's time to drop the smugness.

..."Shenandoahans indeed must come together to ensure dignity, equality and liberty for all and to see that those responsible for this crime face justice. "It won't bring Ramirez back, but at the least it will send a signal that this kind of atrocity will not be tolerated."

Tension boiling over this weekend. It's the annual Italian festival in Shenandoah. Celebration of culture in a small town, while a newer culture wonders what its place within the town is..

Yes, indeed, the nation is now watching a small town in Eastern Pennsylvania and how it will deal with a sickening crime.

AP Photo/Rick Smith

Labels: Breaking news, Race Relations