SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA)
Tensions and a crossfire of words between Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and the leader of the Black Lives Matter Sacramento movement continue to heat up as both sides hurl accusations at the other.
Black Lives Matter Sacramento sent a letter on June 28 addressed to Jones, accusing the sheriff's department of "atrocities" and "violence" against the black community, while issuing a set of 10 demands.
Click here to read Black Lives Matter Sacramento's letter to Jones
In response, Jones wrote a letter addressed to Tanya Faison, the leader of the Sacramento movement.
"Even though you chose not to sign the letter as the spokesperson for BLM Sacramento, I wanted to personalize my response to you," Jones wrote. "I wanted to extend you the courtesy to let you know that none of your demanded items will be forthcoming."
Click here to read Jones' letter to Faison
Jones goes on to say that in his opinion, "There are far more responsible, effective voices for the African American community here in Sacramento than you, Ms. Faison; in fact there is nothing local law enforcement can ever do that will earn your approval."
In a separate statement, Jones said that he has no issue with Black Lives Matter Sacramento, but with Faison herself.
"She has twice organized and hosted protests at my residence, screaming profanity and drawing chalk body outlines and inappropriate statements in the street, disturbing my neighbors and causing fear in my wife and children," Jones said. "She has posted my home address online several times and entertained online comments about assaulting and killing police officers."
Jones said that Faison "does not want better police, she wants NO police."
He added that Black Lives Matter is a movement that can contribute an important voice and bring important issues to the forefront, but the Sacramento chapter's message is being marginalized, causing responsible and constructive discourse to be weakened.
After Jones' letter and comments, Faison and Black Lives Matter Sacramento organized a protest Wednesday outside the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
Faison spoke in front of the department, addressing the issue and noting that the original letter sent to Jones was not written by her nor was it printed and mailed by her.
"He keeps making this about me when in fact we are asking for information for families that are asking questions and not being able to get the answers," Faison said. "So I think he needs to refocus on what the intent was of the original demands."
When asked about Jones' comments that nothing law enforcement do will make Faison happy, she said he hasn't tried to provide any information that they have requested.
"We made demands for some basic information," Faison said. "All he has to do is meet those demands."
As for Faison and the Black Lives Matter group going to Jones' house, Faison said they use many different ways to fight for the families.
"We are fighting for our freedom, and we are fighting for answers," Faison said. "And we are creative in our fight, and we will continue to be creative."
Faison called Jones' response to the organization's letter "petty and emotional," adding that Jones does not get to pick the leaders int he black community.
"He doesn't get to tell black people who their leaders are," Faison said. "We are not slaves. We're no longer living on plantations, so he doesn't get to make those deviations for people. We're free thinkers, and we do what we want."
The group said it has not decided what its next course of action is in order to get their demands met.
Read the original here:
Tensions flare between Sac sheriff, Black Lives Matter leader - KCRA Sacramento