Police, Fresno State NAACP denounce rumor of attack on businesses; no curfew, chief says
UPDATE: Fresno Police Chief Andy Hall in a statement emailed to media around 5 p.m. Monday said his department is monitoring the threat but is not yet planning to impose a curfew in the city.
“The Fresno Police Department is aware of the social media post threatening civil disobedience throughout our city. These threats are being investigated,” Hall said in the news release.
“I will be adjusting the mission of several units and there will be increased patrols and tactical units addressing the City’s commercial businesses. Air support will be working with undercover units as we keep a watchful eye on those who would victimize our city for personal gain in the name of a tragedy. Tactical units will be prepared to address any crime that threatens our community. If you see suspicious activity or a crime being committed please call 559-621-7000. If you have an emergency please call 911. At this time, as the Chief of Police, I am not recommending a curfew be placed on a community that just successfully had one of the largest peaceful demonstrations in this country.
“Together we can keep our home safe but we cannot do this without you Fresno!”
ORIGINAL STORY: The Fresno State chapter of the NAACP as well as Fresno police are debunking a report on social media that businesses in the city will be targeted by Black Lives Matter activists.
The social media post was circulating on some websites Monday morning, but D’Aungillique Jackson, president of the university organization, went on Instagram to say the post had nothing to do with area protesters seeking law enforcement reforms in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police a week ago.
“This is not anything that’s endorsed by the Fresno State NAACP,” she said. “It goes completely against the message that we tried to spread yesterday, (at a large protest in downtown Fresno), the community that we built and the progress that we made.
“If you are in solidarity with black people, join in today’s movement. This is just another way we are disenfranchised.”
Fresno Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jeff La Blue said officers also are aware of the social media post.
“The department is aware of the post that has been circulating through social media about a potential aggressive protest tomorrow afternoon,” he said Monday. “We have dedicated several resources to tracking the validity of this threat and we are working towards a peaceful solution to any group that may want to be heard in our community. The police department will be prepared to respond to any acts of violence against persons or property in our city.
“Stay strong Fresno.”
The department also posted the message to its social media accounts.
No farmers market this week
The River Park Farmers Market — which would have run 5-9 p.m. Tuesday — has been canceled, said Peter DeYoung, who organizes the market.
“Safety is always our first mission and we’re not going to take any chances. … We’re going to cancel for this week and err on the side of caution.”
He added: “It’s sad that people think that these threats are OK. They don’t realize the damage that they do. Obviously, if it’s a real threat, then people need to take things like that seriously, and if it’s someone’s perception of fun, they need to think twice. It affects a lot of people.”
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 1:37 PM.