Posted on 09/15/2003 10:24:26 AM PDT by Bob J
"Fresno’s Human Relations Commission Under Fire After Labeling Local Free Republic Chapter a “Hate Group” "
by Bob Johnson
The Chairwoman of Fresno’s Human Relations Commission came under fire Sunday after issuing an unapproved news release on City letterhead smearing the local Free Republic chapter as a “hate group” and urging city police to expect violence at the group's annual picnic and bar-b-que.
For months the Fresno Free Republic group has been conducting weekly “support our troops” rallies at the corner of Blackstone and Shaw, and had come under the scrutiny of local pacifist organizations. Several militant anti-war websites, including indymedia.com, called on readers to harass, intimidate and possibly injure picnic attendees by throwing “stale bagels” and “rotten eggs” at them from roving “affinity groups”. One member wrote, “They should have thought about this type of response before they organized all the counter-protests to the anti-war protests. They deserve anything that comes their way.”
After the “FReepers”, as they’re commonly known around the country, discussed the situation and possible defensive measures, HR Commission member and leader of the local “Peace Fresno” organization Nicholas DeGraff, told Commission members at last Thursday’s meeting that Free Republic members were armed and "extremely violent." HR Commissioner Cary Catalano says the issue was discussed but it was decided the commission would take no action. Later, HRC Chairwoman Debbie Reyes, presumably in concert with DeGraff, put out a news release on City stationary calling the Free Republic Chapter and website a “hate group” who planned a “hate rally” and violence against “minorities” disrupting their picnic.
In a Sunday Fresno Bee article, Mayor Alan Autry is quoted as stating “…there is no evidence that Free Republic is a hate group”, adding that the commission is "using the city of Fresno as a tool to attack people without cause. This is just something that has to stop." Mayor Autry accused the Commission of being "politically intoxicated" and described its news release as "inflammatory, reckless, irresponsible and dangerous." According to the Bee, Autry plans to meet with Fresno's city manager and city attorney to discuss suspending the commission "until we find out how this happened, who was involved with the press release and the reason behind it.”
This incident is the latest flap in an ongoing struggle between the Mayor and members of the Fresno City Council with the city’s Human Relations Commission, who have been accused of going far beyond their mandate and using the City group to attack critics and silence opponents.
Over the last several years, dozens of Free Republic Chapters have held hundreds of rallies around the country without a single arrest or incident with police. Meanwhile, the Fresno FReepers held their usual weekly vigil Friday and annual picnic on Saturday as they listened to country music, waved American flags and held signs asking drivers to honk in support of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
I think Fresno just won the "Most idiotic peacenik" award.
It just depends on your definition of is.
Which makes me a hater.
Which makes this a hate organization.
Q.E.D.
I think that TV coverage was pretty balanced, all things considered. The "Human Rights Commission" failed to even return the TV station's calls for an explanation, and the interviewed FReepers came across as the Voice of Reason ("'Hate Group'? HUH?!")
I sincerely hope that FRN sues the pants off these morons.
-VERSUS-
Meanwhile, the Fresno FReepers held their usual weekly vigil Friday and annual picnic on Saturday as they listened to country music, waved American flags and held signs asking drivers to honk in support of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
And, which one is labeled the "hate group" again...???
FReep 'em good!
Contact the Mayor of Fresno:Fresno City Hall
2600 Fresno Street
Second Floor
Fresno, CA 93721-3600Phone 559-621-8000
FAX 559-621-7990Remind 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
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