Black Lives Matter Protest Cancelled due to “very real threats of violence we received,” says Organizer

[Facebook message posted by Luke Kinney, the organizer for the BLM Protest planned at Bishop City Park tomorrow, cancelling the event around 9:30 p.m. Monday night, June 1]

Dear Community, (do not show up to the park tomorrow) SHARE this post

I hear you. I am cancelling tomorrow morning’s protest for two reasons:

1. The number of threats we have received – very real threats, of violence to both people and property – has become excessive. I cannot in good conscience gather this community together – my friends, my family, my neighbors – if I believe I am putting them in harm’s way. I wish I could say I was shocked that some of my fellow Bishopites – people I live next to, people I’ve worked with – would have so little regard for our Constitutional right to free speech and expression, but given what is going on in our country right now, I am not.

2. The protest failed to adequately center the voices of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. After hearing about George Floyd’s death, I felt that I had to do something. I felt morally obligated to use my privilege as a white man to fight against the systemic racism that has plagued this country since before it existed. In my eagerness to show how much our community supports Black Lives, I rushed to organize an action without doing enough to ensure that the voices of our marginalized neighbors – the people at the center of this fight – were the ones leading the protest. I still feel it is essential that we as a community get out and show our support for Black Lives and racial justice – and we will. Make no mistake, there will be action, and we will demand justice. But when we do, the movement will be led by Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks.

This is absolutely not the end of this effort. There will be protest. There will be action. But it will be led by those who are at the center of this fight, and it will be organized to guarantee the safety of my friends, family, neighbors, and all those who believe in justice for George Floyd and that Black Lives Matter.

Thank you for understanding, thank you for demanding justice, and thank you for being a part of this community.

Luke Kinney

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The Rittenhouse Verdict Indicates Scary Times Ahead… | CHANGE COUNTS
1 year ago

[…] vigilante targeting of protesters exploded. Rallies and protests have been repeatedly canceled under looming threats of violence. By one count, […]

Phillips
Phillips
2 years ago

Intelligent people learn how to avoid confrontations with the police I have no points on my driving record no rap sheet why because I obey the laws it is as simple as that the rich rule always have and always will if you want true peace and love you need… Read more »

sarafroi
sarafroi
2 years ago

Seeing as Bishop is a sundown town, I guess it’s not surprising that people were threatening violence if minorities tried to exercise their amendment rights to free speech. Growing up I was very worried that I was racist because I didn’t have any black friends. As an adult who left,… Read more »

tom k
tom k
2 years ago

Kelly Thomas in fullerton, ca—take a look at this case for REAL injustice. The cops walk free not like floyds case where the cops in jail. This case for some reason doesn’t MATTER. Your fight for black civil rights is 50 years too late but we can use your help… Read more »

Philip Anaya
Philip Anaya
2 years ago

And one more realization for me. Women dwell in a world where they have cause to be concerned with men they encounter. I am lucky to have had the example and expectations of an amazing father who could kick anyone’s ass and at the same time treated everyone with kindness… Read more »

sugarmags
sugarmags
2 years ago

Funny how Bishop rednecks are so quick to throw out the constitution. They are certainly the least patriotic of all people. They don’t understand what america stands for. I’m sick of all the fearful, ignorant people in Bishop….and no, I’m not saying all Bishop area residents are that way, but… Read more »

HB man
HB man
2 years ago

WOW…” can’t we all just get along ” ?

Philip Anaya
Philip Anaya
2 years ago

Saw today the news of the NBA Coaches Association forming a racial injustice and reform committee. Stephen A Smith in the report discussion spoke of what he thought white folks needed to understand about being black that struck a nerve with my own white privilege. He spoke of white folks… Read more »

David Dennison
David Dennison
2 years ago

Charles James IMO,the wheels will come off when and if these protests are more peaceful,without so much of the 3 % that choose to take the opportunity to loot and vandalize,like it seems what might be happening a lot less today and tonight,and then the big mouths and,not mentioning any… Read more »

Good bye
Good bye
2 years ago

Didnt read or understand what tinner said did you charles.

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago
Reply to  Good bye

Good bye,
I’m saying most people who attend these Black Lives Matter protests don’t really care about black people being murdered, as much as they think they do. What they really care about is doing something to feel good about themselves.
Understand that?

sugarmags
sugarmags
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

Tinner, don’t you think there is a difference between violence among individuals and violence perpetrated by those in power? Nobody likes that there is any crime and violence, but violence perpetrated against a certain group of people by those entrusted to protect them, is something that cannot be and should… Read more »

Charles O. Jones
Charles O. Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  sugarmags

Exactly.
(except for your last sentence. lol)

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago
Reply to  sugarmags

sugarmags, where exactly are the “community protests against community violence”? So, no, I cannot “certainly agree”…because they don’t exist. If black lives really mattered then Black Lives Matter would be in cities like Chicago on weekends like this past Memorial Day weekend where 84 people were shot and 23 of… Read more »

Charles O. Jones
Charles O. Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

Are you also upset with MADD because they’re not addressing the thousands of vehicle deaths that don’t involve impaired drivers? Impaired drivers is their focus. Is that wrong? Maybe you don’t like the BLM name, or maybe you don’t agree with them, but their focus is to address the disproportionate… Read more »

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

Charles O, are you aware that blacks disproportionately commit more crimes than any other racial group, one example would be black males represent 6% of the population and yet commit 44% of the murders in this country. Can you define “disproportionate use of violence against black people” please? The ”violence”… Read more »

Charles O. Jones
Charles O. Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  Tinner

Yeah there’s lots of stats we can throw around, Tinner. Like the fact that black people are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police, even though they’re 1.5 times less likely to be armed when killed by the police. But as always, numbers rarely tell the entire story.

BobK
BobK
2 years ago

Are You watching the news Charles? It’s more than a very few taking advantage of the situation. The last 2 days has been a lot more violence and looting than “peaceful marches”

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago

The murder of George Floyd was an atrocity and I hope all four police officers spend some serious time in prison. But why do black lives matter only when it’s a cop or a white person who commits the murder when FAR more black people are killed by other blacks,… Read more »

Mono Person
Mono Person
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles James

You are a racist!! “White people believe all black people look alike”. That is such an untrue statement – and I am embarrassed for you. The rest of your statement, is colored by that statement. Argue yourself out of that one, Charles…

Tinner
Tinner
2 years ago
Reply to  Charles James

Charles, uh, wow. You kinda went sideways there, I never mentioned rioting and looting or even who was participating in it, you went directly to the default argument of racism. I thought you were better than that. Alright, “people tend to kill who they know” I’ll go along with that… Read more »

Andrew
Andrew
2 years ago

“Black lives matter” Black people those are doing these protest on streets, damaging and stealing public or private properties, tearing down other community and people lives all together. I think black people are doing criminal activities in the name of “Black lives matter”. Real Justice is for those people who… Read more »

David Dennison
David Dennison
2 years ago
Reply to  Andrew

Andrew Dude,check out the photos of the looters and vandals running amuck in the big cities They certainly aren’t all these African Americans you claim them to be,MANY of them are white and Hispanic criminals too,all “colors”, taking advantage of a situation it seems no one can or wants to… Read more »

David Dennison
David Dennison
2 years ago

My bet is,this event and protest was canceled more because of the internet bullies and big-mouths stating “what they’re going to do” to protect our town from “thugs and looters” than it was realistically thinking these large groups of “Anifta” and others were planning to show up and raise hell… Read more »

Inyo K
Inyo K
2 years ago

As always, the violence comes not from those protesting, but from those who are entrenched in the status quo.

Scott
Scott
2 years ago
Reply to  Inyo K

100% right, Inyo K — violence, like bigotry and hatred, is often mired in fear.

Bob
Bob
2 years ago

I love Bishop

T. Adams
T. Adams
2 years ago

The bullies who threatened the event in honor of George Floyd want the benefits of freedom but not the responsibilities. Ignoring the rule of law can be appropriate in certain circumstances. This was not appropriate, but the bullies don’t have wisdom or a shred of nobility, so they can’t make… Read more »

dpblue
dpblue
2 years ago

Wow, shameful of some Bishop people to misunderstand and over react with violence.
Shameful.

FishinDay395
FishinDay395
2 years ago

Wow how sad. I don’t know if there’s anything more un-american than threatening people who are freely protesting and exercising their rights. Ironic don’t ya think that those who call themselves the most american threaten the very rights our country stands for. “Sad.”

Scott
Scott
2 years ago
Reply to  FishinDay395

FishinDay395. You are so right — it’s sad that people who love to proclaim their patriotism are often first in line to threaten the most American of rights. True patriots should have been cheering for and kneeling with Colin K, marching and bringing attention to the systemic problems — those… Read more »

Kim
Kim
2 years ago

Alas, thank you, Luke, for stepping up and being a helper – for trying to express what I believe our community as a whole does support: speaking out against racism, tyranny, and inequality. If it must “be led by those who are at the center of this fight…” I think… Read more »

Brian
Brian
2 years ago

Hey, Direct quote from his statement. “Use my privilege as a white man” What the heck kind of statement is that? In my non-racist mind that’s about as racist as it gets.
SeeYa!!

Scott
Scott
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian

Brian,

I think you might be very, very confused about racism. Acknowledging one’s privilege (privilege is a spectrum) is most certainly no racism.

Peter Stevenson
Peter Stevenson
2 years ago
Reply to  Scott

Scott, maybe saying you have white privilege is not racist to you but different groups have used that exact term to promote hatred and racism. No one has a say to what color they are born. Many Many poor people are white, many people of white ethnicity have been enslaved… Read more »

Art
Art
2 years ago

Very unfortunate that free speech, the First Amendment, civil rights, and our Constitution are being suppressed/violated. This should be a grave concern to all Americans regardless of our political affiliation, ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, etc.
Pathetic, perverse, petrifying, and putrid!

steve
steve
2 years ago

Your just inviting more violence to the area. Everyone who gives a damn about this incident, write a letter and get back to work.

Greg Weirick
Greg Weirick
2 years ago

Having learned that BLM people coming were planning violence and vandalism as I understand it, its commendable of you to cancel the protest! Peaceful protesters message of equality will register far better across this country when they first stand up in front of the violent looters and protect their fellow… Read more »

sugarmags
sugarmags
2 years ago
Reply to  Greg Weirick

Not sure what you’re talking about Greg….people in our community intimidated others from exercising their constitutional rights. What is it that makes you feel good about that? Don’t be so unpatriotic Greg….love your country, don’t hate it. Support our constitution.

John
John
2 years ago

It is not surprising to be that the BLM rally has had to be cancelled. In my experience, there is a huge undercurrent of racial intolerance in the bishop community. It is obvious that there are very few ( if any ) “people of color” there. The reason?- simply feeling… Read more »