Sign in Stanislaus County neighborhood threatens racial violence. Why wasn’t it taken down?
Stanislaus County leaders were sharply criticized Tuesday for not taking action on racist signs that threaten violence against undocumented immigrants.
Speakers at the Board of Supervisors meeting said nothing was done about a handmade sign reading “kill wetbacks” that hung in the Parklawn neighborhood south of Modesto. It was affixed to a fence, though exactly where was not made clear. It was first reported at a South Modesto Municipal Advisory Council meeting in March and also was reported at meetings in July and November.
“The county must demonstrate that you take threats seriously,” said Bianca Lopez, a community activist. “You must denounce these racist comments and actions in our community. Maybe you are waiting for an (immigrant) family to get killed.”
In addition to the sign on a Parklawn fence, similar messages also have appeared in Ceres, the speakers said. Some were index-card-size hate messages tucked under the wiper blades of vehicles.
County Chief Executive Officer Jody Hayes said later at Tuesday’s meeting that the county will issue a statement denouncing hate speech. Hayes said he didn’t yet have the facts on why nothing was done about the sign in the Parklawn neighborhood. “I am getting conflicting information,” he said.
A lawyer for California Rural Legal Assistance told supervisors the sign at Parklawn has been taken down. While free speech is protected, threats to commit violence or harm are a criminal offense under the California Penal Code.
Supervisor Channce Condit, whose district includes the area, asked for clarification on the county’s complaint procedure. Are complaints brought to a municipal advisory council enough to get a response, or is a formal report required?
Municipal advisory councils are formed in unincorporated areas like Salida, Denair and south Modesto to bring neighborhood concerns to the attention of county government. The council meetings are often attended by county staff and the respective elected official.
Condit said the county should at least make an official statement denouncing hateful speech and threats of violence against people. “This is a very sensitive issue for this community,” he said. “There is a lot of fear in the community over this type of signage.”
Supervisor Vito Chiesa said getting hate speech removed should not take this long.
Immigrant families ‘living in fear’
John Mataka of the Grayson Neighborhood Council said he believed the county’s reaction would have been different if violence was threatened against Jewish people or white families.
CRLA attorney Nicholas Jensen said immigrants in the region are living in fear. After an election that focused on border security, President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportation of illegal immigrants. Trump was the top choice among Stanislaus County voters in the Nov. 5 election, capturing 54% to Kamala Harris’ 43%.
Jensen said the county could build trust in the community by heading off problems with racist language more quickly.
A county staff member said after Tuesday’s board meeting she anticipated a county statement will be released by Friday.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 3:13 PM.
