HRC Under Fire (Fresno Mayor expects litigation as a result of HRC smear of FR?)

KFSN-TV ^ | September 14, 2003

[Timesink]

HRC Under Fire

A pair of controversies could mean double the debate inside Fresno city council chambers this week, while a special city commission and some council members are feeling the heat.

A lot of the political tension has centered around an upsetting e-mail, and more recently, a news release that calls a local conservative organization a, "hate group."

Now, the future of Fresno's Human Relations Committee is on the line.

Fresno mayor Alan Autry went on TV for "Ask The Mayor," but Autry says he has questions of his own for the city's Human Relations Commission.

It sent out a news release about rallies planned by the "Free Republic," Calling the local conservative organization a hate group.

Now, Autry wants the HRC out of commission, at least for now, "I'm going to do my best to suspend operations until we find out who thought it appropriate to send out a release with city staff ... to call a group a hate group."

The HRC's chairwoman, Debbie Reyes wasn't available for an interview. But, in a written statement, Reyes said, "The intention of the alert was to merely alert the public to say away from a potentially volatile situation."

Still, Autry says the HRC release was irresponsible, "Factor that in with the fact that you spend $193,000 to fund this, liability issues, litigation ... all of those things come into play."

Council president Tom Boyajian supports the HRC, "It was bad information ... they should've done their homework ... but I don't think that warrants wiping out the Human Relations Commission."

Boyajian may also butt heads with conservatives at city hall on another issue. As Action News first reported, he'll present a resolution Tuesday regarding council members conduct. This, after Jerry Duncan wrote what some considered a threateing e-mail about the Human Relations Commission.

Duncan declined to comment Sunday, but he has apologized for the e-mail.

Boyajian says his resolution will not go so far as to officially censure Duncan. He says legally, the council can't force Duncan to resign.

Boyajian will suggest a possible seminar to improve sensitivity to minority groups.

[Timesink]

I'm guessing this is mostly just transcribed from the video news report that was posted yesterday...

[William Tell]

From the article: "Factor that in with the fact that you spend $193,000 to fund this, ..."

$193,000.

Hey, Fresno. Your tax dollars at work !!

[Young Rhino]

Thanks for posting this...but you had my hopes up that HRC stood for Hildabeast Rodham Clinton.

[jimtorr]

Boyajian says his resolution will not go so far as to officially censure Duncan. He says legally, the council can't force Duncan to resign.

Boyajian will suggest a possible seminar to improve sensitivity to minority groups.

So, Free Republic is now officially a minority group in California? I was posting on FR for nearly two years before I fled the state. When do I get my check?

[Amelia]

Council president Tom Boyajian supports the HRC, "It was bad information ... they should've done their homework ... but I don't think that warrants wiping out the Human Relations Commission."

Not that I'm anywhere near Fresno, and I suppose this is a pretty self-evident statement, but by definition a human relations commission must "do its homework"....if it doesn't know what it's talking about, it's going to harm relations, not help them.

[SAJ]

...it's going to harm relations, not help them

Why would you bother assuming that their (or any similar organisation's) purpose is in any way to help relations? That'd be a first! They exist only to pander and whine and occasionally bring suit, all on the taxpayers' dime, of course.

[MamaTexan]

It sent out a news release about rallies planned by the "Free Republic," Calling the local conservative organization a hate group.

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't this libel?

[Grampa Dave]

Sounds like the left wing HRC in Fresno is guilty of hate crimes with their issuance of this outrageous charge against Free Republic.

It appears that by Free Republic and Freepers using their/our first amendment rights are just too much for these left wing censors of HRC/Fresno.

[MistyCA]

Just another pathetic example of the way liberals distort and manipulate. I hope you don't allow this activity to stand, and I hope Mayor Autry has whatever it takes to call a halt to the commission. I agree! Sue them!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Boyajian will suggest a possible seminar to improve sensitivity to minority groups.

Oh, ok. That will certainly fix the problem. Why didn't WE think of that?

[concerned about politics]

Boyajian will suggest a possible seminar to improve sensitivity to minority groups.
.....When do I get my check?

LOL. Cool. Let's all call a class action lawsuit , being victims of a hate crime and all.
Let's ask for 10 trillian in damages! Ching ching $$$
Freepers could have just won the liberal lottery! Whooo HOOO!!

[concerned about politics]

Council president Tom Boyajian supports the HRC, "It was bad information ... they should've done their homework ... but I don't think that warrants wiping out the Human Relations Commission."

Boyajian will suggest a possible seminar to improve sensitivity to minority groups.

I don't suppose he stuck up for Trent Lott. He's not sticking up for us either. Hate crimes are only for "some people", aye Tom?
(Hey, we could really use this! Heh heh heh)

[mathluv]

My thoughts, also, until I saw Fresno in the title.

[drjimmy]

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't this libel?
No. No more than someone here calling the ACLU or NAACP a hate group.

[Teacher317]

Ah, good ol' liberal reporting... no need to bother contacting the offended group for input if it is conservative. Had it been a "protected" minority group, then you'd have at least 2 national talking heads getting some good column-inches.

[concerned about politics]

Pardon my ignorance, but isn't this libel?
No. No more than someone here calling the ACLU or NAACP a hate group.

Has any government official ever called them a hate group? Seeeeee?
Key words : Government official.
That makes it a "tad" different. Not to mention they called in the government soldiers - the police.

[ppaul]

FReep 'em good!

Contact the Mayor of Fresno:

Fresno City Hall
2600 Fresno Street
Second Floor
Fresno, CA 93721-3600

Phone 559-621-8000
FAX 559-621-7990

Mayor@fresno.gov

Remind him of his promise...

"It is apparent that the city wants leadership and direction, not politics.
Leadership requires the courage to make decisions that will benefit the next generation.
I promise that kind of leadership."
Alan Autry
Mayor, City of Fresno

[Bernard Marx]

It seems to me that's exactly the kind of leadership Autry's offering. I think FR can do itself a world of harm by sending nasty emails to any Fresno official that could be twisted by the "human rights" commission into what it considers "hate speech."

Blow them imaginary kisses instead and show them we're all just the lovable little fuzzballs we truly are. (Even fuzzballs are protected by 1st and 2nd Amendment rights; we just happen to honor the Constitution more completely than they do).

[drjimmy]

Has any government official ever called them a hate group? Seeeeee?
Perhaps you can help me see where libel laws say it makes it a "tad" different whether a statement is made by a private person or a government official.

[Celtic Conservative]

didn't this guy co- star on "in the heat of the night" for several years?. When did He enter politics?.

CC