Here’s what San Joaquin Valley leaders say about George Floyd killing, protests
In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and as several plans for protests in the San Joaquin Valley formed, local leaders condemned the killing and called for peaceful demonstrations.
Among law enforcement, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall all spoke out against the killing and called for the officers to be held accountable.
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand praised the peaceful protest Friday evening at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, and Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer urged protesters to remain peaceful.
Smittcamp directly called on protesters not to loot, set fires or commit crimes.
“Fresno — please honor the memory of George Floyd by keeping the focus on him and do not let his death be in vain. Do not distract from his memory with acts of violence and rage,” she said in her statement.
Dyer said if the protests turn violent, that will diminish Floyd’s memory.
“It is so important that these emotions not turn into acts of violence in our city, as we have seen across the country,” he said. “The minute that happens, the memory of George Floyd is forgotten, and the message that needs to be heard will be lost as innocent lives are endangered.”
Responses on social media to the statements from elected and law enforcement officers have been mixed.
Many people expressed thanks to the leaders for speaking out and condemning the killing. Others called on the leaders to join the protesters, and some brought up previous Fresno police shootings.
Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria said in a tweet she was glad to see Brand speak out, “but in Fresno we need to start having the difficult conversations of advancing policies that will eradicate racial injustices and inequities in our community.”
Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro called on the university and community to redouble efforts to uplift Fresno and the Valley’s African American communities and offer support during a difficult time.
“In times like these, it is critical that we collectively redouble our efforts to address the challenges our African American friends and neighbors are facing in our Valley and across the nation. While we may at times feel despair at the frequency of such tragic events, and while we might struggle with how to successfully address racism, I am certain that we can begin by being compassionate, supportive and fully inclusive in our programs and in our actions,” he said in a statement. “Let’s commit to an intentional and unwavering effort to see one another as true partners, consistent with our Principles of Community — kindness, respect, collaboration and accountability — and our core values of diversity, distinction and discovery.”
Pastor B. T. Lewis of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church shared a long post on Facebook about living black in America and the pain endured by African Americans while watching Floyd’s death. He, too, called for nonviolent protests, saying murderers, looters, thieves, and vandals need to be held accountable for their actions.
Lewis shared the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:7: “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”
Tulare County
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux was criticized for a tweet about people “hating cops.”
“For all those people who are hating cops across this nation. Just leave your name and address at your local police agency and let them know whenever you dial 911 or need emergency police services you no longer wish for them to respond to your calls for help,” he tweeted.
Boudreaux later deleted the tweet, which was captured in a screen shot and continued to circulate online. He also set his account to private. He expressed further thoughts in a thread, saying rioting and violence should be met with swift enforcement
“Minneapolis I truly believe all Americans are angered over this tragic death of a (citizen) at the hands of a police officer. It is a troublesome video to watch but justice will be served. You are losing with the rioting and looting,” he tweeted.
Boudreaux also said no one hates bad cops more than good cops, and the actions of a few bad cops overshadow good cops’ good deeds.
“Regardless of your position or belief in cops or the environment surrounding Law (Enforcement) right now we will and always will respond and provide safety even to those who hate us,” he tweeted later.
Farmersville Mayor Greg Gomez called Boudreaux’s tweet about hating cops “embarrassing.”
“If he were my police chief, I’d demand he be fired,” Gomez said.