For Immediate Release

September 26, 2017

Fresno County Republicans Already Reeling from Arpaio Fallout

fresno—The Fresno County Republican Party, stung by the harshly negative reaction to its decision to invite notoriously racist ex-sheriff Joe Arpaio to a fund-raising event, has scrambled to secure an alternative location where the former sheriff—who was defeated for reelection in 2016 and would be presently in jail but for successfully securing a pardon from Donald Trump through begging and pleading on national television—won’t be visibly outnumbered by peaceful demonstrators protesting his hateful, bigoted message.

Fresno Republicans can whisk Joe Arpaio in on a fancy private jet, and they can hide him behind the iron bars of a fancy private club, but they can’t hide the hate, the racism or the disgraceful disregard for the rule of law that Joe Arpaio represents. They are showing us clearly what their values truly are with this event,” said Michael D. Evans, chair of the Fresno County Democratic Party. “There’s an easy solution to their problem—cancel the event, refund the donors and denounce Joe Arpaio for the racist criminal that he is.”

Fresno Republicans ignited controversy with their decision to invite the former Arizona sheriff long known as one of the most virulently racist and notoriously abusive officials in the country. Following his defeat for reelection in 2016, he was convicted of criminal contempt for ignoring judicial rulings.

Numerous local groups have announced their intention to peacefully protest the Republican event featuring an infamous lawbreaker and racist, prompting Republicans to scramble to secure an alternative venue where Joe Arpaio won’t have to face a much larger crowd of protesters.

The latest intel has the Arpaio event at Sunnyside Events (5707 E. Balch Ave.). An area has been appropriated for protesters north of the Arco station at Kings Canyon & Phillip Avenue on the east side of Phillip. Parking is available in the lot north of the Arco station. Participants are encouraged to show up between 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m on Friday September 29th.

There will also be a #flashmob #JailhouseRocksArpaio to peacefully call attention to the inanity of featuring “Lawless Joe Arpaio” at the GOP fund-raiser. Plan to Rock the Jailhouse as Elvis would. Learn more at facebook.com/groups/1674239599294646/

Should there be another shift in the event location, check the Fresno County Democratic Party Web site (fresnocountydemocrats.org) or Facebook page (facebook.com/FresnoCountyDemocrats) for up-to-date details. For more information, contact 559-495-0606 or fresnocountydemocrats@yahoo.com.

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