Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Free Republic LLC filed a Notice of Claim with the City of Fresno
Press Release Charles L. Doerksen, Attorney at Law | 09/22/03 | Jim Robinson

Posted on 09/22/2003 5:52:05 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

CHARLES L. DOERKSEN
ATTORNEY AT LAW
________________

ROWELL BUILDING
2100 Tulare Street, Suite 410
Fresno, California 93721
Telephone 559 233 3434
Facsimile 559 233 3939
E-mail doerksen@lightspeed.net

 

September 22, 2003

 

PRESS RELEASE

At 9:10 a.m. today, Free Republic LLC filed a Notice of Claim with the City of Fresno, arising from the Human Relations Commission’s news release of September 12, 2003, labeling it a "hate group." A copy of the Notice of Claim, without exhibits, is attached hereto.

The Notice of Claim, which is a legally required first step in filing a lawsuit against a public entity, puts the City of Fresno on notice that Free Republic LLC intends to file a lawsuit for defamation against (1) the City of Fresno, (2) the Human Relations Commission, and (3) Debbie Reyes, Chair of the Human Relations Commission.

Questions regarding this matter may be directed to this office, and additionally, Mr. Doerksen, as well as representatives of Free Republic LLC, can be made available in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., today, September 22, 2003, to answer questions if interest in this is expressed.

 

NOTICE OF CLAIM
(Government Code § 900, et seq.)

This claim is being presented pursuant to Government Code Section 900, et seq., Miller v. Hoagland (1966) 247 Cal.App.2d 57, 61-62 (filing claim as prerequisite for defamation action against public entity and its employees), and all pertinent code sections, statutes and laws of the State of California.

A. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE CLAIMANT:

B. NAME AND ADDRESS OF PERSON TO WHOM CLAIMANT DESIRES

NOTICES TO BE SENT:

C. DATE, PLACE AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING RISE TO THE

CLAIM:

Claimant is an independent, grass-roots, conservative organization. Its purpose is to root out political fraud and corruption, to roll back decades of governmental largesse, and to champion causes which further conservatism in the United States of America.

This claim arises from defamatory oral statements and/or more permanent publications made by and/or disseminated by the City of Fresno, by and through its Human Relations Commission, and certain public employees and/or agents of the City of Fresno acting in the course and scope of their employment and/or agency, the identities of which are currently unknown (hereinafter, collectively the "City of Fresno"). Claimant is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that the Human Relations Commission for the City of Fresno is composed of up to 17 members appointed by the City Council and the Mayor, and has a budget for the 2003 fiscal year estimated at $193,100. Each Council member appoints two members while the Mayor appoints three members. The specific identities of such public employees/agents are currently unknown, but are expected to include, at a minimum, Debbie Reyes, Chair, Human Relations Commission for the City of Fresno.

On or about September 12, 2003, the City of Fresno disseminated a News Release entitled, "Human Relations Commission News Release," a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and made a part hereof (hereinafter, the "Release"). The Release refers to claimant as "a hate group." In addition, the Release states: "This group has also planned a ‘Free Republic Hate Rally Picnic’ in District 6," and accuses claimant of making "threats of violence toward any minority groups that interfere with their rally or picnic." The Release constitutes a false and unprivileged fixed representation to the eye which exposes claimant to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, causes it to be shunned or avoided, and has a tendency to injure claimant in its occupation, trade or business. In addition, the Release charges claimant with a crime in that it accuses claimant of making "threats of violence" towards minority groups.

Claimant is informed and believes, and thereon alleges, that the City of Fresno has made other false and unprivileged statements, either orally or by writing, printing, or other more permanent medium, which have exposed claimant to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, and which have caused claimant to be shunned or avoided, and have injured it in its occupation, trade or business. (As used in this Notice of Claim, the term "Publication" shall hereinafter refer to the Release as well as to all other defamatory oral statements and/or more permanent publications made by and/or disseminated by the City of Fresno.)

D. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES:

Defamation. The City of Fresno (previously defined to include the City of Fresno, and certain public employees and agents of the City of Fresno acting in the course and scope of their employment and/or agency, the identities of which are currently unknown), wrongly referred to claimant as "a hate group" and accused claimant of planning a "hate rally" and making "threats of violence toward any minority groups that interfere with their rally or picnic," notwithstanding the City of Fresno’s failure and inability to produce even a scintilla of competent evidentiary or legal support for such defamatory statements. True and correct copies of articles from The Fresno Bee, dated September 14 and 16, 2003, are attached hereto as Exhibit "B" and "C," respectively, and made a part hereof (hereinafter, the "Articles"). The Articles attribute statements to Mayor Autry that (1) there is no evidence that claimant is a hate group, (2) the Human Relations Commission is "using the City of Fresno as a tool to attack people without cause," (3) describing the Publications as "inflammatory, reckless, irresponsible and dangerous," and (4) explaining "the worst thing you can say is they’re a hate group." Furthermore, Debbie Reyes, Chair, Human Relations Commission for the City of Fresno, has admitted that her "proof" for making the Publications was not "solid." (See Fresno Bee article dated September 16, 2003.)

The Publications are false and unprivileged statements, either orally or by writing, printing, or other more permanent medium, which have exposed claimant to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, and which have caused claimant to be shunned or avoided, and have injured it in its occupation, trade or business. As a result of the defamatory Publications, claimant is entitled to be compensated by the City of Fresno (and the responsible public employees/agents).

The Publications constitute defamation (i.e. libel and/or slander per se) based upon Civil Code Sections 45 and 46 (as well as other statutory and judicial authority):

    1. Libel. The California Legislature has defined libel as a "false and unprivileged publication by writing, printing, picture, effigy, or other fixed representation to the eye, which exposes any person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, or obloquy, or which causes him to be shunned or avoided, or which has a tendency to injure him in his occupation." (Cal. Civ. Code § 45.)

    2. Slander. The California Legislature has defined slander as "a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered, and also communications by radio or any mechanical or other means which: (1) Charges any person with crime, or with having been indicted, convicted, or punished for crime; … (3) Tends directly to injure him in respect to his office, profession, trade or business, either by imputing to him general disqualification in those respects which the office or other occupation peculiarly requires, or by imputing something with reference to his office, profession, trade, or business that has a natural tendency to lessen its profits." (Cal. Civ. Code § 46.)

E. AMOUNT OF CLAIM:

Claimant seeks general damages for loss of reputation, shame and mortification. Claimant seeks special damages with respect to damages it has suffered to its business, trade, profession or occupation. Finally, claimant requests exemplary damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the responsible public employees/agents for making the defamatory Publications with actual malice. Claimant is informed and believes, and thereon alleges that the public employees/agents possessed a state of mind arising from the ill will toward the claimant, and did not have a good faith belief in the truth of the defamatory Publications. Accordingly, the acts of public employees were made with actual malice, and were fraudulent and justify the imposition of punitive damages.

Claimant’s damages are currently unknown, but are anticipated to be well in excess of $1,000,000, but regardless, are in excess of the minimal jurisdictional limits of an unlimited civil case.

F. WITNESSES/PUBLIC EMPLOYEE(S) CAUSING INJURY:

At this time, claimant believes that the following persons, in addition to its members (including but not limited to Jim Robinson), would have knowledge regarding the events of this claim and/or participated in the acts and/or omissions which caused the injury to claimant:

Dated: September ___, 2003



TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: banglist; cityoffresno; claim; debbiereyes; freerepublic; fresno; fresnosuit; hategroup; hrc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 701-710 next last
To: Jim Robinson; EternalVigilance; All
Standing on principle!! Ain't it a beautiful thang!!??
181 posted on 09/22/2003 6:52:56 PM PDT by viaveritasvita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 155 | View Replies]

Comment #182 Removed by Moderator

To: CholeraJoe
What you said!
183 posted on 09/22/2003 6:53:17 PM PDT by MEG33
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 172 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Oh my God!! I'm a filthy smoker and now I'm associated with a "hate group"---This ought to make the grandchildren get a good laugh.
184 posted on 09/22/2003 6:54:14 PM PDT by Mears
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Thanks for taking a stand Jim.
You are in our prayers tonight.
Keep us posted.


Evil triumphs when
good men do nothing.


185 posted on 09/22/2003 6:54:16 PM PDT by ppaul
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Remote Control
You should be able to see a Support Free Republic icon on most every page. Just click.
186 posted on 09/22/2003 6:55:22 PM PDT by eleni121 (Never buy socialist UAW made cars)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 154 | View Replies]

To: ppaul
Go Jim Go!

May God bless this Free Republic!

187 posted on 09/22/2003 6:55:38 PM PDT by libsrscum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 185 | View Replies]

To: ErnBatavia
1,000,000 is about 4 years worth of freepathons.
188 posted on 09/22/2003 6:56:10 PM PDT by Bogey78O (The Clinton's have pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured/killed -Peach)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Carry_Okie
Is there any plan to go after Debbie Reyes?

Actually, we need to read Kenneth Timmerman's "Shake Down" and try to figure out
"What Would Jesse Do?"
in trying to extract the maximum amount of cash from Ms. Reyes and her fellow doofs.

Oh, plus shutting down the myopic cabal she heads.
(Translation for liberal lurkers: "myopic cabal" means the little hate group that
Ms. Reyes runs...and that apprently suffers from poor eyesight as they don't
know a hate group when they think they see one...)
189 posted on 09/22/2003 6:56:35 PM PDT by VOA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
What Fresno actually say something against a Conservative Site... ( end sarcasm )

Best of luck Jim my man... Give em Heck..

190 posted on 09/22/2003 6:56:57 PM PDT by LowOiL (Roy Moore for King ! God Bless America !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Give 'em hell, JimRob!!!
191 posted on 09/22/2003 6:57:23 PM PDT by TheBigB ("Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats." --P.J. O'Rourke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TomServo
Sweet.
192 posted on 09/22/2003 6:57:23 PM PDT by Rocko
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Mama_Bear; notpoliticallycorewrecked
It was also reported that the attorney said this could "all go away with a retraction and an apology".

I believe what Charles really said was "That would be a good start." or words to that effect.

I felt the media didn't spend as much time on this as they did the accusations.

193 posted on 09/22/2003 6:58:26 PM PDT by ladyinred (The left have blood on their hands.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: prairiebreeze
Well, fortunately, most people in our small town have known us for years and know the charge by the HRC is ludicrous. What concerns us is our potential customer base, the people who don't know us and who might not take the time to look into the accusations or ask us for an explanation, you know, the "headline readers".
194 posted on 09/22/2003 6:58:55 PM PDT by Mama_Bear ( Lori)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 166 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Hope before this is done, Ms. Reyes is bereft of her Mercedes and can't get a job flipping hamburgers.

But what in the heck is "obloquy", anyhow? LOL..
195 posted on 09/22/2003 6:59:07 PM PDT by EternalVigilance (Right is right...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: TomServo
YEEEEHAAAA!
196 posted on 09/22/2003 7:00:08 PM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
I just hate the City of Fresno.

Good luck, Jim.

197 posted on 09/22/2003 7:00:11 PM PDT by GreatOne (You will bow down before me, Son of Jor-el!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
I am behind you 100% You are going to win for sure! Good for you.
198 posted on 09/22/2003 7:00:23 PM PDT by Diva Betsy Ross ((were it not for the brave, there would be no land of the free -))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Nice Job, JimRob!

I think that Fresno needs to take a good look at just who they have within their employment, particularly when the decide to slander some taxpayers and their friends.

199 posted on 09/22/2003 7:00:35 PM PDT by meyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
I am so glad you are fighting back.
200 posted on 09/22/2003 7:02:33 PM PDT by Lady Heron
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 161-180181-200201-220 ... 701-710 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson