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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
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To: Jim Robinson
I applaude you for filing this.
For Free Republic members to be labeled as a hate group is patently ridiculous.

Here's hoping that your filing makes some realize that they cannot say anything they want about other people without consequences.

301 posted on 09/22/2003 8:14:09 PM PDT by Just another Joe (FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
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To: ladyinred; Mama_Bear; Jim Robinson; sweetliberty; All
I truly had no idea y'all were facing this kind of attack! I'm so sorry! It's just disgusting and frightening, too, 'cuz I think it's only going to get worse.

I'm sure many of your FRiends will pray for you -- we may get cranky with each other and we've had some nasty cyber fist fights (not counting the FRINO'S, hehehe!), but Free Republic is like FAMILY. WE can call each other all sorts of things, but just let someone else attack a family member and see what happens!

Who is DeFehr??
302 posted on 09/22/2003 8:16:41 PM PDT by viaveritasvita
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To: Jim Robinson
Good for you Jim. I wasn't aware supporting the First Amendment makes you a hate monger. But then again, anything that doesn't agree with the whacko's views of the world makes you a member of a "hate" group.
303 posted on 09/22/2003 8:16:49 PM PDT by Beck_isright (Shenandoah and Blue Ridge will re-emerge as the investment of the 21st Century....)
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To: Jim Robinson
Thank you Jim

That said I don't think this is your fight as much as it it is every FReeper's fight. All of us have been insulted. You shouldn't have to pay for this I've just hit the donate to FR button.I encourage each FReeper to do whatever they can. Lawyers aren't free.

304 posted on 09/22/2003 8:21:25 PM PDT by Drango (McClintock is my first choice, but given the numbers I'm voting for Arnold.)
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To: ladyinred; Mama_Bear
I mean this in all sincerity and from the bottom of my heart:

Kalifornicate is a goner. It's a losing battle and we need you on other fronts. I know it's easier said than done, but please please consider packing up your families and leaving. Get out while you can.

Wow! That's the nicest I've ever been in making this appeal!!
305 posted on 09/22/2003 8:23:01 PM PDT by viaveritasvita
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To: Chong; Nea Wood
Nea: See Chong's post #299.

Chong: Please come and be my neighbor!!!
306 posted on 09/22/2003 8:26:02 PM PDT by viaveritasvita
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To: Jim Robinson
Hey, you hatemonger!
I haven't read all the comments on this thread, but if you want to establish a legal fund for this cause, count me in.
307 posted on 09/22/2003 8:26:30 PM PDT by Chong (God Bless America and Her Brave Men and Women in Uniform. We are with you.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Charge!!!
308 posted on 09/22/2003 8:30:25 PM PDT by Militiaman7 (Bush, Rumsfieldt and Congress steal my pension because I'm a retired DAV. www.supportthevets.com)
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To: Humidston
It's about time someone knocked a chip off someone's shoulder. There's a saying I heard once, that a lie unanswered becomes the truth. Something like that.

Let's force feed her some crow!!!!

309 posted on 09/22/2003 8:32:27 PM PDT by CarolAnn
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To: viaveritasvita
"Chong: Please come and be my neighbor!!!"

Thank you, viaveritasvita. We are already "neighbors."

310 posted on 09/22/2003 8:34:27 PM PDT by Chong (God Bless America and Her Brave Men and Women in Uniform. We are with you.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Good job Jim. People must be held accountable for their acts, including Ms. Reyes.
311 posted on 09/22/2003 8:34:55 PM PDT by Tripoli
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To: Jim Robinson
Good move. I was livid after hearing what that lying trash called FR. I am not a litigious person, but this lawsuit is warranted.
312 posted on 09/22/2003 8:37:30 PM PDT by Donna Lee Nardo
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To: Chesterbelloc; ladyinred; chadsworth; jkphoto
Very interesting. Thanks for the link. I KNEW her name was familiar and now I remember hearing about this on the news a couple days ago.

Yep, that is the woman who seems to think that the City of Fresno will have no problem fighting this lawsuit. When she was interviewed she appeared to me to give this lawsuit the back of her hand, as if it was just some kind nuisance thing that they were going to have to deal with. I am not an attorney, but it seems to me, it is very unwise of a Fresno City Councilperson, considering press release from the HRC and the lawsuit that has just been filed, to make the statement that "if a group is perceived to be a threat, it is their obligation to alert law enforcement and the media." Is she not calling us a threat to the community, just as the HRC did?

I guess the keyword here is "perceived". And apparently, in their subjective and politically tainted analysis of the evidence they were given, it was not necessary to verify the facts. Unbelievable!

313 posted on 09/22/2003 8:39:00 PM PDT by Mama_Bear ( Lori)
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To: 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
"I hope they also file an apology to our active duty FReepers and their family members."

I'll second that....

redrock

314 posted on 09/22/2003 8:40:51 PM PDT by redrock (Say a Prayer tonight.....for we have 'boots on the ground'.....)
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To: Jim Robinson
Very good!!!
Remember don't get mad, get even.
This send a strong message, that we will not be slanderd.
315 posted on 09/22/2003 8:41:53 PM PDT by Valin (If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?)
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To: Mama_Bear
Hi, Mama_Bear.
Long time No BUMP.
316 posted on 09/22/2003 8:42:47 PM PDT by Chong (God Bless America and Her Brave Men and Women in Uniform. We are with you.)
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To: 2111USMC
(I am deeply saddened, concerned, affronted, depressed, ....!) :

Me too. Not to mention how humiliated we are in front of those Liberal bedwetters! I'm traumatized. Aren't you? :)

317 posted on 09/22/2003 8:43:48 PM PDT by NRA2BFree (Criminals want gun control. It would make robbing you easier!)
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To: Chad Fairbanks
but they mentioned it several times, and referred to FR in less than flattering terms because of it.

Oh please don't throw me in that briarpatch.
318 posted on 09/22/2003 8:44:10 PM PDT by Valin (If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?)
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To: StarFan; Dutchy; alisasny; Black Agnes; BobFromNJ; BUNNY2003; Cacique; Clemenza; Coleus; DKNY; ...
ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

319 posted on 09/22/2003 8:44:31 PM PDT by nutmeg ("The DemocRATic party...has been hijacked by a confederacy of gangsters..." - Pat Caddell, 11/27/00)
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To: GummyIII
bump!
320 posted on 09/22/2003 8:44:46 PM PDT by Freedom2specul8 (Please pray for our troops.... http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/)
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