A Town Called Victoria: Resources
Above: Animation of the night of the Victoria Islamic Center arson. [Credit: ATCV, LLC]
In conjunction with the three-part documentary miniseries A Town Called Victoria, we’ve collected a list of important resources and documents for further reading and as sources for the stories and information presented in the documentary.
These organizations and links don’t necessarily reflect the views of Independent Lens, ITVS, PBS, or CPB.
Episode 1
Local News Coverage on the Case
Victoria Advocate: “Fire destroys mosque, cause undetermined“
Victoria Advocate: “Fire investigator: Mosque blaze no accident.“
KATV: “Texas mosque destroyed in early-morning blaze, cause unknown“
Texas Tribune: “Investigators: Fire that ravaged Victoria mosque was arson“
Victoria Advocate: “Marq Vincent Perez indicted in mosque case“
Victoria Advocate: “Synagogue vandalism gives insight into mosque arson“
Victoria Advocate: “Final temple vandal sentenced“
Related National News Coverage
New York Times: “Truck driver found guilty in deaths of 19 illegal immigrants in Texas in 2003“
BBC: “Trump’s executive order: Who does travel ban affect?“
New York Times: “Texas Mosque Gutted by Mysterious Blaze Raises More Than $900,000 to Rebuild“
Victoria County News, Facts and History
Victoria Advocate: “Election data identifies Victoria County voting trends“
Texas Monthly: “Below the Surface“
Business Insider: “The 20 biggest landowners in America“
Victoria Advocate: “Former mayoral candidate civic leader leaves Victoria”
Victoria Advocate: “Polasek takes gavel as Victoria mayor; 3rd-place finisher plans challenge“
Episode 2
News Coverage of the Case
Victoria Advocate: “Marq Vincent Perez Indicted in Mosque Case“
CNN / ABC13: “GoFundMe account raises more than $900K for Victoria mosque destroyed by fire“
Victoria Islamic Center Rebuilding: Actual GoFundMe
Victoria Advocate: “Mosque Arson anniversary brings questions of Faith, Unity“
Pastor Mike Hurt’s blog entry: “Blurred Lines, Confusing Prayers“
Further History of Victoria County
Herald Review: “The Mexican-American War: Land grab of the century?“
Library of Congress: “Land Loss in Trying Times“
The Trial: Transcripts and Evidence
“United States of America vs. Marq Vincent Perez courtroom recording” [Audio]
Trial Evidence: Government’s Exhibit 104: Marq Vincent Perez’s discharge paperwork
Interview Transcripts: Corroboration for Marq Vincent Perez’s mental state
Reporter Cassie Cameron’s corroborating comments Eric Camarillo makes about his family
Hate Crimes
Council on American Islamic Relations: CAIR 2017 Hate Crime Report
Pew Research: Rise in assaults against Muslims
Reuters: “U.S. anti-Muslim hate crimes rose 15 percent in 2017: advocacy group“
NPR: “In Big Win For White House, Supreme Court Upholds President Trump’s Travel Ban“
Episode 3
The Trial
Victoria Advocate: “Suspect in mosque arson fascinated by fire“
KAVU News transcript: Defense Opening Statements and Witnesses
Trial Transcript: Supports depiction of di Carlo
Southern District of Texas: Selected Cleared Trial Exhibits
Trial Transcript: Testimony that Marq Vincent Perez lied about his military service to Cavazos (a militia member)
Interview Transcripts: Filmmaker interviews with trial participants and witnesses
National News Coverage
New York Times: “Texas Man Found Guilty of Hate Crime in Mosque Fire“
PBS NewsHour: “Hate crime case ends with guilty verdict for man who set Texas mosque fire“
Victoria Advocate: “Update: Arsonist Marq Vincent Perez gets 24-year federal prison sentence“
U.S. Dept. of Justice: “Texas Man Sentenced to Almost 25 Years for Hate Crime in Burning Down Mosque in Victoria, Texas“
Victoria Advocate: “Former mayoral candidate civic leader leaves Victoria“
Further Information and Other Resources
World Population Review: “Recidivism Rates by State“
CASE DOCUMENT: United States v. Marq Perez Brief as Appellee
Pew Research (2017): Assaults against Muslims in U.S. surpass 2001 level
Pew Research (2019): Harassment of religious groups steady in 2017, remaining at 10-year high
Southern Poverty Law Center: 2017 Annual Report
Voice of America: “Hate Crimes Rise in 9 Major US Cities in 2017, Preliminary Data Show“
