When a post promoting violent looting in north Fresno gained attention on social media Monday, Fresno State’s NAACP student chapter and other organizations made it very clear that the post was not associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.
The post, which included the letters BLM, originated on reddit and encouraged rioting at Fresno’s River Park at 4 p.m. D’Aungillique Jackson, a student at Fresno State and an organizer of Sunday’s peaceful protest that included about 3,000 attendees, said she’s upset people are trying to use the Black Lives Matter movement to incite violence.
“It’s so hurtful to go from experiencing the joy and the support that you can get from the Fresno community to waking up this morning and seeing that there are people willing to use our name and use the message of Black Lives Matter,” Jackson said. “To use what we’re trying to do for pain and chaos to confuse people.”
Jackson said that is not what the movement is about. And it’s why the Fresno State NAACP student chapter is working with other organizations to clarify that the post is not affiliated with Black Lives Matter.
“This is absolutely a full-scale attack on black people and I just hope that the community can recognize that and they will do everything they can to try to help keep us safe,” said Jackson.
Jackson said she’s been in regular contact with the Fresno Police Department regarding the issue. The Fresno Sheriff’s Department has also thanked the organizations for denouncing the post.
