Huffman-Ramirez refuses to put it in writing

Mayor Berry and his PIO Chris Huffman-Ramirez are confident
that they can deny "press credentialing" to people who, in their
estimation, are not worthy members of the "press". They insist,
not only are there such things as "credentials"; some token or
talisman that one must present in order to establish their identity
as members of a free press, but moreover, that they have the
right and the authority to decide who gets them. The arrogance
is appalling.

Huffman-Ramirez phoned me
to tell me that he wasn't going
to be granting Mark Bralley and
I our "credentials", we are not
entitled to First Amendment
protection as members of a
free press.

We are not the press.

A number of questions are begged,
beginning with; where in the job
description of a PIO does it include interpreting the constitution?

It has been argued before the Supreme Court that a guy in a basement with a xerox machine is a member of the press. Who is Huffman-Ramirez to say we're not the press because we don't work for the establishment media?

I asked Huffman-Ramirez to put their position in writing;
something I could show to a judge. He refused.

When the question is are you going to tell the truth,
any answer except yes, means no.
When the question is will you hold yourself honestly
accountable for your conduct and competence within
your public service, any answer except yes, means no.

When you're denying citizens the free exercise of constitutionally
protected human rights, you should be willing to put it in writing.
Unless of course, you know what you're doing is wrong, and you
don't want to create a paper trail.

He refuses to hold himself accountable within his public service.
He refuses to own his conduct and competence as a public servant.

And Mayor Richard Berry
is good with it.

I am so disappointed.




photos Mark Bralley