The Community Alliance had 4 newsstands stolen from in front of the Fresno County Jail over the last year. You can read more about that story here:
Sheriff Margaret Mims confirmed it was her staff that took and attempted to destroy the one taken on December 31, 2021. Her staff even showed me video, from their video surveillance camera, of the theft.
Our solution to this shameless attempt to silence this newspaper is to bolt our newsstands to the sidewalk in front of the jail. We will not tolerate this affront to free speech and the communities right to have access to an independent press.
We are also sending a complaint to the California Attorney of California that raises the concern that law enforcement personnel are taking Community Alliance newsstands and not holding the thief accountable for their actions. The Sheriff claims this crime was committed on the City of Fresno’s sidewalk and therefore is not in her jurisdiction. The FPD, who we filed a complaint with, has not contacted us about the incident. We have seen no evidence that an investigation is taking place.
—Utah Phillips
We will also contact the Fresno County Grand Jury, in hopes that they care about the First Amendment and equal justice under the law.
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