Not another noose!

I was asked by a reader to highlight the following:

Noose on Ole Miss integration statue brings federal indictment ~ AP

The arrest raises disturbing implications so I understand the interest as even Mr. Meredith apparently hates his own statue. No doubt the message conveyed by the perpetrators is one of hate, but is it a crime? Apparently AG Holder thinks so as we have a federal indictment.

I am uncomfortable with the constitutional implications. Fire away your thoughts in comments.