Mayor Autry Blasts Panel Leader (Follow-up Fresno Human Rights Chairman Under Fire - Concerns F.R.)

The Fresno Bee ^ | 09/16/2003 | Pablo Lopez

[DoughtyOne]

Human Relations Chief (Debbie Reyes) Draws Fire over 'Hate Group' Comment.

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."

[DoughtyOne]

This is a follow up news article on a previously posted story.

Thanks to Kristinn for bringing this to our attention.

[NormsRevenge]

BTTT

[Shermy]

Monday, Reyes and her supporters revealed dozens of posts linked to the Free Republic Web site that she said were inflammatory.

Off hand, can't think of any web site that does not have "inflammatory" posts.

[tubebender]

Ping...

[DoughtyOne]

Related Titles for your Review:

FRNCC - "Fresno’s HRC Under Fire After Labeling Local Free Republic Chapter a “Hate Group”"

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

VIDEO OF NEWS STORY ON FRESNO "HATE" RALLY AND PICNIC HERE!!!

Human Relations Panel in New Fray (Fresno Panel calls Free Republic "Hate Group")

Fresno, California's Annual Tailgate Picnic 9/13/03

Op Infinite Freep: Fresno Support Our Troops Tailgate Rally Tonight! (9/12)

DUers are planning a disruption of the Fresno Freeper Picnic - Disrupter Alert! (my title)

Announcing the Second Annual Fresno Tailgate and Rally - September 12th and 13th (This weekend)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Supporters included Nicholas DeGraff of Peace Fresno and Mike Rhodes, editor of Community Alliance magazine.

I wonder which of these two is AKA "FReepWatch"? Hmmm...

I'm of the opinion that this was a setup - one of those involved in this made the initial 'FReepWatch' posts at IndyMedia, knowing the kind of responses they would get (or maybe even wrote the 'inflammatory' replies themselves), then went crying to Reyes...

But then, maybe I'm just paranoid.

[JulieRNR21]

FYI, in The Washington Times. Inside Politics

By Jennifer Harper

Hate-free zone

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."

Mayor Alan Autry seemed to agree with the more moderate description. According to yesterday's Fresno Bee, he plans to suspend commission Chairwoman Debbie Reyes and accuses her of being "politically intoxicated."

Mr. Autry called the commission's news release "inflammatory, reckless, irresponsible and dangerous," adding that "these comments are not a reflection of the city of Fresno."

"It's one thing to say someone's a jerk or to say someone is off base, but the worst thing you can say is that they're a hate group," he said.

Mrs. Reyes said she had has seen evidence that the Free Republic was "antigay and anti-immigration."
"When intolerance comes to the table, we need to answer that call," she said.

And the big "hate rally" itself?
According to the Bee: "About a dozen people met at Shaw and Blackstone avenues Friday. They listened to country music, waved American flags and held signs asking drivers to honk their horns if they support U.S. soldiers."

---

Based on Reyes & her Commission's Press release it appears that anyone who doesn't agree with her on issues such as gay marriage & immigration is labeled a 'hater'.

What ever happened to the First Amendment which protected the free speech right to express one's opinion?

I know these Fresno people & their ongoing Rally is held to show support for US Military serving in the War on Terror!

FR is a Forum where many diverse opinions are expressed but most members are Conservatives. It appears to me that Reyes & her Commission are projecting their own hatred of Conservatives on this Fresno FR Chapter.

Julie

[Chad Fairbanks]

Off hand, can't think of any web site that does not have "inflammatory" posts.

This one.

[JustAmy]

Thanks for the ping, Tubebender.

Can you believe what is happening in your old home town?

If you had been able to come down you could have been a member of our violent rally!! Hope you visited all the threads.

[DoughtyOne]

Even paranoids have enemies... ;-)

We don't know who posted the threats and we don't know who posted the responses. When you get right down to it, this whole thing, both ends of it could have been their people at least in part.

On this forum we need to make comments that can't be used as an excuse to take us down. Even when our buds make questionable comments, we need to get them off the forum A.S.A.P.

We not only do not support or advocate violence, we don't want to even present the appearance of supporting it. It's important that we don't.

[Phantom Lord]

Monday, Reyes and her supporters revealed dozens of posts linked to the Free Republic Web site that she said were inflammatory.

They would probably consider the posts at DU to be "reasoned, sound, and intellectual debate".

[hellinahandcart]

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."

Reyes left the "outside group" unidentified, but took their word that FreeRepublic is a hate group, and called us just that on city letterhead. And broadcast it publicly by fax.

If she'd only wanted to warn the police of potential trouble, she would have notified the police of the "outside group"'s threat to cause trouble at someone else's picnic. Instead, she slandered the group that was under the threat.

She ought to resign. She is convinced she was in the right, proof of her incompetence and stupidity.

[Max McGarrity]

I allas did like "Bubba." Wonder how many new members FR picked up because of this publicity.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Oh, I know, and agree with you - However, we must also keep in mind that we must not abandon our beliefs just because some idiots don't like what they are - they say we are anti-immigration, for example, when we are mostly 'anti-ILLEGAL immigration'.

We can ensure we post nothing that is seen as advocating violence, but we must also make sure we stop letting the other side frame the debate so that we are always on the defensive.

As for me, I won't advocate violence, but I WILL speak my beliefs, and if some scumbag leach on society doesn't like it, tough :0)

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for your post and comments Julie. People on this forum are for the rule of law. They do not approve of illegal aliens. They do not disapprove of legal orderly immigration.

Citizens of this nation have every right, in fact a duty to review and advocate immigration policies that see orderly, safe and productive immigration to this nation.

It would be suicidal for the US to allow terrorists to enter this nation, or allow the nation to be flooded with so many foreign nationals that our own language, culture and cohesive nature be destroyed.

That being said, foreign nationals from every nation on earth come here, are welcomed here and will continue to be welcomed here, as they should.

[cake_crumb]

"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."

This is just like something you'd see at the...Ducks Underbelly site.

I HOPE that paranoia doesn't take hold over a potential legal battle, because the HRC does NOT have a case. Website posts do not MAKE a case.

[DoughtyOne]

Of course you're absolutely right.

[gracie1]

But then, maybe I'm just paranoid.

Not paranoid, just aware!

[DoughtyOne]

;-)

[Free Trapper]

At least one new member joined the other night and said it was because of the HRCs foolish,outrageous behavior.That's my wording,not a quote but the new FReeper sounded like another thinking person that will be very welcome here.