Virginia Official Faces Racist Taunt at Football Game, Sparking National Outrage

A Virginia politician was targeted by a racist heckler at a public event. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears was told to “go back to Haiti” during a college football game. The incident occurred on October 19 at a James Madison University (JMU) matchup. Video of the confrontation quickly went viral online.

The man behind the racist taunt has been identified as Scott Pogorelc. His actions have drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. According to Reuters, the event has ignited a national conversation about civility and racism in public life.

Racist Taunt Captured on Viral Video

A cellphone video captured the entire disturbing exchange. In the clip, Scott Pogorelc can be heard shouting at the Lieutenant Governor. He yelled, “Go back to Haiti!” and called her a “traitor.”

Earle-Sears, a Marine Corps veteran, remained composed. She later addressed the incident on social media with a firm response. She pointed out that the comment was factually incorrect, as she is originally from Jamaica, not Haiti.

Pogorelc is a resident of Centreville, Virginia. He was attending the game because his son is a player on the JMU football team. Online sleuths quickly linked him to political donations for Democratic campaigns.

Immediate Repercussions Follow Public Outcry

The public backlash was swift and severe. Pogorelc was employed as an engineer at Zeta Associates, a subsidiary of defense giant Lockheed Martin. Following the viral spread of the video, the company took action.

Lockheed Martin confirmed Pogorelc’s termination from his position. A company representative stated that his comments violated their core values and code of ethics. This rapid firing highlights the serious professional consequences for such public behavior.

Pogorelc has not issued any public statement or apology. The incident has put a spotlight on the conduct of individuals associated with major government contractors. It also raises questions about political discourse at family-friendly events.

The incident underscores that public accountability for a racist taunt can be immediate and severe, affecting both personal reputation and professional standing.

Thought you’d like to know

Who is Scott Pogorelc?

Scott Pogorelc is a Centreville, Virginia resident. He was a senior engineer for a Lockheed Martin subsidiary. He was fired after video of him shouting racist remarks went viral.

What did he say to Winsome Earle-Sears?

He shouted, “Go back to Haiti!” and called her a “traitor.” The Lieutenant Governor is actually from Jamaica. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps before entering politics.

What happened to him after the incident?

He was fired from his job at Lockheed Martin. The company stated his actions violated their ethics policy. The video sparked widespread condemnation on social media and in news reports.

How did Winsome Earle-Sears respond?

She responded with dignity on social media. She corrected the factual error about her origin, stating she is Jamaican. She also affirmed that America is her home and that such words would not break her.

Where did this incident take place?

The racist heckling occurred at a James Madison University football game. The event happened on October 19. The public nature of the incident contributed to its rapid spread online.

Trusted Sources

Associated Press, Reuters, BBC News