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Posted on 09/16/2003 7:55:14 AM PDT by Lance Romance
Edited on 07/12/2004 4:08:15 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Things are combative in Fresno, Calif., this week after the city's Human Relations Commission issued a press release describing "the Free Republic" as a "hate group" and warning of plans for a "Free Republic Hate Rally Picnic."
The Free Republic is a news Web site operated by Jim Robinson of Fresno, described as "an online gathering place for independent, grass-roots conservatism on the Web."
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
Any info on the Beeatch? Aiiight. Peace Out. Word.
"When intolerance comes to the table, we need to answer that call," she said.
When life gives you lemons, look both ways before crossing.
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Autry blasts panel leader
Human relations chief draws fire over 'hate group' comment.
By Pablo Lopez
The Fresno Bee(BR> (Published Tuesday, September 16, 2003, 5:47 AM)
Fresno Mayor Alan Autry can't suspend the city's Human Relations Commission, but his administration was still frustrated Monday by the commission chairwoman who labeled a local conservative organization a "hate group." Debbie Reyes is under fire from Autry for issuing a news release Friday on city stationery that warned the community about the Free Republic's rally and picnic in north Fresno last weekend.
Autry said 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."
Police Capt. Marty West said police have never clashed with Free Republic members, who have rallies to support President Bush and American troops fighting terrorism. "They are a peaceful group," West said.
Autry said the commission went too far, saying Reyes' news release was "inflammatory, reckless, irresponsible and dangerous."
Autry sought to suspend the commission, but under the city charter, the City Council controls the commission's budget, estimated at $193,100 this fiscal year.
Deputy Mayor Roger Montero said Monday that Reyes should resign. If she doesn't, he said, Council Member Cynthia Sterling should remove Reyes from the commission. Sterling appointed Reyes to the commission.
Sterling, a close friend of Reyes' sister, Assembly Member Sarah Reyes, D-Fresno, didn't return a telephone call or reply to an e-mail sent to her office.
Saturday, Human Relations Commissioner Cary Catalano said Reyes should resign. Catalano did not return several calls made Monday to his cell phone.
Reyes said she isn't about to quit, saying it is the commission's job to monitor residents' complaints against police, investigate hate crimes and organize community events. She said the job also includes alerting the community to potential danger.
Monday, Reyes and her supporters revealed dozens of posts linked to the Free Republic Web site that she said were inflammatory. Supporters included Nicholas DeGraff of Peace Fresno and Mike Rhodes, editor of Community Alliance magazine.
There is nothing wrong with the commission warning police of potential trouble, West said. In this case, police were alerted to a potential clash between Free Republic members and some unidentified "outside group."
"Police have a duty to monitor it," West said, noting that no trouble occurred at the Free Republic rally at Blackstone and Shaw avenues Friday evening. No trouble was reported at the picnic, either.
Free Republic founder Jim Robinson said Reyes has no proof that his members wrote the offending posts. And whether members did, Robinson said: "They were just joking. There were no threats made."
The posts displayed Monday by Reyes were apparent responses to a Web forum discussion of disrupting the Free Republic events. One post said members of Free Republic are anti-gay, anti-immigrant, anti-peace and justice, and anti-environment. "You forgot pro-gun. FR members are PRO-Gun. You guys need to remember that," the post said.
Another posting regarding the group's picnic at Woodward Park last Saturday said: "Lets see ... I got the sodas, the watermelon, fresh batteries for the stun guns, softball bats, pepper spray, my steel toed boots, arm bars, knee bars, chokes, neck cranks, wrist locks, shoulder locks ... this should be a fun picnic ... I almost hope that these uninvited guests show up."
Reyes, DeGraff and Rhodes admitted that their proof isn't solid: The postings, found on the San Francisco Indymedia Web site, are attributed to people who use monikers. In some cases, these people have written offensive words and pretended to be DeGraff, Rhodes and other community activists.
Robinson, 57, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, created Free Republic out of his home in 1996 shortly after muscular dystrophy forced him into early retirement. He said offensive postings "that are over the top" are removed from his Web site, which he claims has about 120,000 registered members with chapters nationwide. He believes 50 to 100 members live in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Robinson said he has no control over the people who post messages on the San Francisco Indymedia Web site. "Anarchists use it," he said.
Robinson said his members may have been agitated by the postings from the "outside group."
"The jokes came from both sides," Robinson said.
Robinson said he is proud of his Web site: "We wave American flags and support President Bush and U.S. soldiers fighting in Iraq. We own guns, but we don't advocate violence."
The reporter can be reached at plopez@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6259.
No. But when they get beered up, they can roll cars and loot like you've never seen. The WTO protesters are amateurs compared to these tough hombres.
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