Harrisburg-area man says he was hit in racially motivated attack

SWATARA TOWNSHIP – A Harrisburg-area man is recovering after being beaten in what he calls a racially motivated attack.

It happened Friday night in the parking lot of the Roadhouse Cafe Bar and Grill in Swatara Township.

Kevin Maxson is known as an activist in the Harrisburg area but says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“When I went out that night, I never expected there was a chance that I hadn’t gotten home,” Maxson said.

That’s the reality you faced Friday night as a black man, waiting in the parking lot for a white friend to be picked up at the Roadhouse Cafe Bar and Grill.

“A group of maybe 11 to 13 men surrounded us and started yelling racial slurs and telling him he was a traitor and they started assaulting us,” Maxson said.

He says he tried to reduce the situation.

“I told him to listen, we didn’t want any problems. I’m trying to make sure my friend gets home safe and sound. I do not know. I have no complaints or agendas with you, ”Maxson said.

But they didn’t listen and left Maxson badly cut and bruised as he tried to defend himself.

“They told us they were Pagans Biker Club. They were from the West Virginia area and they migrated here, ”Maxson said.

Police eventually showed up and Maxson says some of the motorcyclists were arrested and that they were still in the parking lot.

“Harrisburg and the surrounding areas are not a place for that kind of violence. This is no place for racism or bigotry, ”Maxson said. “We are trying to build our communities. We are trying to come together to make changes for our children. ”

He has brought the incident to the attention of the attorney general’s office and Swatara Township commissioners.

“I’m not angry. I’m not thinking of lashing out or retaliating. I just want something done, ”Maxson said. “I want community leaders, politicians, I want law enforcement to be more proactive in this approach before it snowballs into a bigger problem.”