From www.mercurynews.com
News in brief from the San Joaquin Valley
Associated Press-- snip --
FRESNO, Calif. (AP) - The city of Fresno agreed to settle a suit by the conservative online group Free Republic, paying $60,000 and retracting a news release that said the organization was a "hate group."
City attorney Hilda Cantu said on Monday the city settled to avoid the expense of litigation, but Former Human Relations Commission Chairwoman Debbie Reyes, who sent out the news release in September, said the city should have "stuck it out and fought it."
Fresno resident and Free Republic founder Jim Robinson said he filed the suit to get the city to recognize its mistake.
"I think it's unfortunate the city did not retract and apologize immediately after they knew they were in the wrong," Robinson said.
The release warned residents that Free Republic was planning a picnic in the popular Woodward Park, and that "information on this group's website clearly indicates threats of violence toward any minority groups that interfere with their rally or picnic."
The group promotes events like an annual "Repudiation of Jesse Jackson" day, and has between 50 and 100 members in the San Joaquin Valley.
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