Charlottesville backlash emerges in Fresno with ‘rally against hate’

A “Counter Rally Against Hate” in the Tower District on Saturday to protest white supremacy rallies taking place elsewhere is designed to be peaceful, but Fresno police are ready in case neo-Nazis or alt-right groups show up with their own signs.

Organizer Simone Cranston-Rhodes said she has not heard of any groups or individuals planning a counterprotest to the Tower District rally, and Fresno police also said they are not aware of any.

The rally is being staged the same week that the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California issued a statement criticizing Fresno police for allegedly keeping a list of events staged by progressive groups but ignoring right-wing groups and their events.

“Just this year, the Fresno Police Department has tracked at least 47 events, with one thing in common: they were aligned with progressive causes,” said ACLU of Northern California lawyer Abre’ Conner of Fresno.

Fresno police Chief Jerry Dyer said in a statement he directed the Criminal Intelligence Unit to create a list of upcoming events so police could staff enough officers if needed.

“Lawful demonstrations have good intentions” but they can attract “those with hidden agendas, anarchists and individuals who choose to become violent at these gatherings,” he said.

“The compiling of this list was not done to spy on those attending, but rather to ensure their safety,” Dyer said. He did not respond to the claim that only progressive groups were on the list.

The ACLU said it filed an extensive public records request with Fresno police so it can investigate what it claims is a violation of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, the anti-white supremacist rally in the Tower District is being sponsored by the Central Valley Progressive Political Action Committee, the Fresno chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America and the Democratic Party of Fresno County.

Planned speakers include representatives of Central Valley Progressive PAC, the Islamic Cultural Center and a conflict studies professor from Fresno State.

Chant leaders will be there and water will be provided, organizers said.

It starts at 10 a.m. at the northeast corner of Wishon and Olive avenues.

Capt. Mike Reid, commander of the special operations bureau, said he has been in regular contact with organizers.

Police are ready if counterprotesters should show up, he said.

“What we try to do is keep physical distance between the groups,” he said.

He said the department monitors social media to see if any groups are announcing such plans. Police do not use tracking software but monitor social media just like anyone else, he said.

Reid said he tells organizers to designate their own safety personnel. Police officers meet with them the day of the event to go over sidewalk laws and other rules, he said.

That way, they can tell fellow demonstrators to keep driveways clear, stay out of the roadway, hold protest signs upright and not let them lean into the roadway, and create paths for people to use sidewalks, he said.

The police helicopter will be on duty Saturday and if the crew is not on a call the helicopter can monitor the demonstration, he said.

Cranston-Rhodes said the rally is taking place because of the events in Charlottesville, Virgina in which a demonstrator was run over and killed, and because white supremacist rallies are supposed to take place this weekend in San Francisco and Berkeley.

“Everyone should feel safe to attend our event,” she said.

This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Charlottesville backlash emerges in Fresno with ‘rally against hate’."