West Fresno residents, led by Rev. Floyd D. Harris, held a press conference last Monday to denounce elected city officials who accuse Black youth of being gang members and call them terrorists. Photo: Mike Rhodes

Harris was referring to statements made by local elected officials at a press conference held last August, when Fresno City Council member Jerry Duncan, stressing the urgency of a campaign against gangs in West Fresno, compared Black youth accused of belonging to gangs to terrorists. "Make no mistake about it," Duncan said, "they are terrorists and they are as much of terrorists as those people in Iraq that are blowing up innocent people."

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry said, "The connection with the war on terror and the war against gangs at home is not a spin; it is a very real connection." For video and more information about Fresno city officials identifying African-American gang members as terrorists, see www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/08/29/18444759.php.

Last Monday's press conference was held in front of radio station KFCF 88.1 FM, where Duncan and Harris were scheduled to discuss the gang/ terrorism issue on Valley Black Talk, a program aired on Monday evenings. Shortly before the show, Duncan sent an email to the program's producer saying he would not be able to appear on the show.

Harris was disappointed and told me that he had been looking forward to the dialog with the City Council member. The show did go on, but without Duncan. The program included many people calling in to discuss the provocative statements made by local elected officials.

At the press conference, Rev. Harris, who is the president of the National Network In Action, a civil and human rights organization, objected to city officials identifying Black youth as terrorists. In a prepared statement, he said, "Did the Fresno Police worsen the gang problem by using injunctions, anti-gang legislation and police crackdowns?

Lewis Coleman said what Westside residents need are jobs and an opportunity to earn a decent living. Learn more at www.fresnoalliance.com/home. Photo: Mike Rhodes

City Council member Jerry Duncan is termed out and has announced he is running for mayor. Harris said, "Prior to running for mayor, Duncan has always told people who don't live in his area that he is not responsible for them and doesn't have to talk to them.

"Yet, he is attempting to promote his ‘campaign' on the backs of poor people who do not have the same amount of resources as those who live in the north side. Instead, he voted for more monies for incarceration instead of placing greater emphasis on juvenile diversion and prevention programs such as mentoring for those that don't live in his district."

Email Mike Rhodes at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Rev. Floyd D. Harris Jr. can be reached at (559) 803-0286 or www.nancal.org.

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