Fresno leader blasts area school for ‘selfish’ rally with no masks despite coronavirus
Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias blasted Immanuel Schools’ leaders and parents who took part in a Fresno rally this week while not maintaining safety guidelines related to the coronavirus.
Speaking during a Thursday council meeting over Zoom, Arias called the rally “intentional” and “selfish” in a time when the city of Fresno is trying to make it safe for children to return to school.
Arias said as a parent of two children doing online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, he recognizes the frustration of parents.
“I also recognize that some people have intentionally violated all the guidance that public health officers have given and city rules,” Arias said.
Immanuel Schools started classes Aug. 13 in violation of state orders barring in-person learning. School representatives were in Fresno on Tuesday for a court hearing.
Fresno County Judge D. Tyler Tharpe denied Fresno County’s request for a temporary injunction. County officials tried to stop the district from teaching on campus, arguing that the private school was putting its students, staff and community at risk.
Health officials have repeatedly asked people to wear masks and practice social distancing. The city of Fresno also passed its own ordinance requiring masks in stricter situations than those ordered by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Arias shared a photo that showed the Immanuel rally outside of the B.F. Sisk Fresno County Courthouse in which a huddled group of about 450 people can be seen largely without masks. He spoke about Andy Souza, the Reedley school’s chief administrative officer and former Fresno city manager.
“I would ask our friend, Andy Souza, to advise his students and his parents that if they’re going to enter our city to have their day in court — great. That’s their right,” Arias said. “But they shouldn’t intentionally and selfishly put people at risk by not following the basic guidance of wearing a mask.”
Souza could not be immediately reached for comment.
Arias went on to note that Black Lives Matter and police support rallies in recent months have had large gatherings in town while most in attendance wear masks.
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld came down on the other side of the argument, praising Immanuel Schools’ leadership and parents. He has been a vocal advocate for students to return to school and for businesses to re-open.
