"I am not that Chris fella"

 

(Do not use the photo I took without permission first and give credit. This is for his safety and the correct way to use someone else's original reporting. )

"I am not that Chris fella." This morning few minutes before 10 a.m. Yesterday, another security guard who also works for one of the local security companies was interviewed by another local media outlet.

I was walking past the KAEF studio and stopped by to talk to the security guard outside the door. Very professional. His name is T. Hanke. He told me he is there to make sure everyone is safe. Someone named "AJ" stopped by before I did and introduced themselves to Hanke claiming to be head of security for the group planning to protest. A few others came by and snapped pictures of him. 

I had not heard about this protest nor do I care about yet another virtue signaling protest in Eureka by the same core protestors who ironically want to silence others for different opinins while protesting the First Amendment. The group has a list of pro Trump businesses which is not even complete and seem to be doing well financially. 

I will stop at noon or later, if I am not busy to see who showed up. I am sure I will recognize some of the same faces who sit at local businesses daily using wifi to watch videos and go online to do exactly what? This includes the a guy who has never met me, is open about his political views, who I have seen at anti Trump protests and all I see him is using Starbucks and then go to other downtown businesses using their wifi, then sometimes back at Starbucks. This is the kind of person who think they are entitled to yell at others on the street or troll online. I don't care what your politics are but don't make assumptions about me and others and there is no constitutional right to try and intimidate or harass others into silence.

None of these regular protestors have done anything meaningful or achieved results to stand up to local entrenched powers. They have a right to the First Amendment as long as it is peaceful.

It has never been safe to speak the truth but lately, there is a targeting of anyone one side makes assumptions about or hates for just having a different opinion.

11:29: No one here but a woman all dressed in black walked by Hanke and yelled "What's good fascist?"

(Car parked on 6th street across the street from studio)

12:01: I don't even see other local media here and this is who showed up. Even Eureka Police Department is not here. I walk by every day past the studio and based on the cars, I doubt any employees are even in the building.

1:29 p.m. Saw this truck driving around 6th and G right before noon. It is parked in front of the studio at the corner of 6th and E . Have no idea why the 8 or 9 protesters are still here after Sinclair's statement.

Sinclair posted a statement about Jimmy Kimmel Live and the return of the show to ABC affiliates this evening. If you care about facts and not spin; you will read what Sinclair wrote.

Sinclair today announced that it will end its preemption of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the show will return, this evening, on Sinclair’s ABC affiliates.

Our objective throughout this process has been to ensure that programming remains accurate and engaging for the widest possible audience. We take seriously our responsibility as local broadcasters to provide programming that serves the interests of our communities, while also honoring our obligations to air national network programming.

Over the last week, we have received thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders representing a wide range of perspectives. We have also witnessed troubling acts of violence, including the despicable incident of a shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento. These events underscore why responsible broadcasting matters and why respectful dialogue between differing voices remains so important.

In our ongoing and constructive discussions with ABC, Sinclair proposed measures to strengthen accountability, viewer feedback, and community dialogue, including a network-wide independent ombudsman. These proposals were suggested as collaborative efforts between the ABC affiliates and the ABC network. While ABC and Disney have not yet adopted these measures, and Sinclair respects their right to make those decisions under our network affiliate agreements, we believe such measures could strengthen trust and accountability.

Our decision to preempt this program was independent of any government interaction or influence. Free speech provides broadcasters with the right to exercise judgment as to the content on their local stations. While we understand that not everyone will agree with our decisions about programming, it is simply inconsistent to champion free speech while demanding that broadcasters air specific content.

As a company rooted in local stations, Sinclair remains committed to serving our communities with programming that reflects their priorities, earns their trust, and promotes constructive dialogue. We look forward to continuing to work with ABC to deliver content that serves a broad spectrum of our communities.