Black Lives Matter Pasco County is dealing with a barrage of threats and violence, as its weekly marches gain steam in New Port Richey.
An SPLC-designated hate group called The Proud Boys has threatened protesters and police arrested peaceful protesters and charged them with noise violations. Protesters even claim that one white woman went so far as to carve “BLM” in the street with a rock in the hopes that it would get people arrested.
On Tuesday, the danger reached a new level thanks to warnings about burning down protesters’ livelihoods, and escalating threats from local bikers.
A post on BLM Pasco’s Facebook shows a commenter making violent comments toward the group.
“When they get in their vehicles write the license plates down you will be able to track them down to that!,” wrote a Facebook profile by the name of Fabrice Sueoka. “Burn their house burn their cars fuck their shit up taste of their own medicine.”
The account is linked to a private profile that says it’s based in Killeen, Texas. While it is unclear if this account is it trolling to incite fear or a bot/fake account, BLM Pasco claims they found his place of work through his profile and encouraged supporters to call out the person for the threats.
In a private message to BLM Pasco that they shared on their page, an account by the name of “Sharlaine Fawthrop” threatened the group’s upcoming events with more armed bikers. The profile image of the “Sharlaine Fawthrop” account is the recently discarded Washington Redskins logo, which was changed by the team because it’s racist toward Indigenous people.
“We are coming to your event legally armed. Leave the New Port Richey police alone. Leave Chief Bogart alone. We will protect the city from scum Antifa like you. More bikers are coming. We are watching you! Get ready,” the message reads. “You people are filth. Disgusting. See you Friday night punks!”
The only response BLM Pasco sent to them was their auto-reply, and “Thanks for the screenshot!”
On Monday, New Port Richey Police Department’s Deputy Chief Lauren Letona told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that local Black Lives Matter protests have caused zero property damage. In response to an inquiry about the presence of hate groups, Letona wrote that "We cannot predict who is going to show up at these events. We are there to provide safety and enforce the law regardless of what groups are involved.”
On Wednesday, Letona responded to another inquire about the threats, writing that NPR PD "does not condone acts of violence and take threats very seriously."
"We are on high alert during these events and are strictly there to enforce the law and ensure the safety of all citizens. We do not choose sides," Letona added.
BLM Pasco did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the threats, but is asking for help in defending their protests through community support, with a flyer that reads, “We peacefully protest and our lives are being threatened. Please help us! We are fighting against extreme white supremacy in Pasco. Please inbox us for details.”
UPDATED: 09/02/20 11:35 a.m. Updated with additional comment from New Port Richey Police Department’s Deputy Chief Lauren Letona.
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