Douglas County prepares for planned protest Saturday, creates 'free space' speech zone

MINDEN, Nev. — Following a controversial letter from its sheriff regarding the Black Lives Matter movement and a proposed diversity statement agenda item that was to be considered by the county's library board, Douglas County says it is actively preparing for a planned protest at the Judicial Law Enforcement Center this Saturday.

In a news release that went out Monday afternoon from Douglas County and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, officials say the county has "proactively established free space" to accommodate anyone who arrives for the protest. The demonstrations are expected to run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has been in contact with groups who have shown interest in attending the August 8, 2020 demonstration at the JLEC and wish to exercise their First Amendment rights, the release states.

“Our office has openly encouraged every group to exercise their rights in a peaceful manner without reservation,” said Sheriff Dan Coverley in the release. “Our office has spoken with representatives from interested parties to discuss differences and build confidence that attendees want a peaceful event with no harm to persons or property.“

The sheriff's office is asking people to prepare for a possible shortage of parking at the JLEC building and to consider other options of parking. Water Street will be closed to provide additional space for a free speech zone, the release states. DCSO is asking the public to please move all motor vehicles by 6 a.m. August 8, 2020 from Water Street.

A map to show the areas of free speech, motor vehicle parking can be viewed here https://www.douglascountynv.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=12493103&pageId=16...

The red area shown on the map, will be fenced off. This is a no access area; The release advises the public to not enter the area or as they will be subject to the trespassing law.

There will be an 8-foot blocked off area from the two main doorways leading to the JLEC for everyone’s safety. This area will be clearly marked and the public will not be allowed passed the barricades, unless authorized by law enforcement personnel, the release states.

Douglas County officials also noted that it would like to remind residents that public sentiment, comments and rumors on social media platforms are opinions and not the official source of information. Any information concerning this protest will receive official correspondence from county leaders on official DCSO or County letterhead.

Official information and updates will be posted to the Douglas County and Sheriff’s websites. The official page is located at https://www.douglascountynv.gov/cms/One.aspx?portalId=12493103&pageId=16...

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is also working proactively with Douglas County Emergency Management, Douglas County Staff and elected officials to ensure the safety of Douglas County residents, visitors and businesses. There will also be active patrols though out Douglas County to protect business and residential areas.

“I believe that everyone can actively voice their concerns with civility and the safety of our community, visitors and residents is and always has been our number one priority,” said Sheriff Coverley.

In the letter which touched off the controversy and headlines nationwide, which can be read in its entirety here, the Sheriff denounces Black Lives Matter as a violent organization, and discusses how the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office “make it a priority to treat all persons with respect regardless of race, gender or cultural differences.”

However, immediately after this statement, Coverley states: “To support this movement is to support violence and to openly ask for it to happen in Douglas County. Due to your support of Black Lives Matter and the obvious lack of support or trust with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, please do not feel the need to call 911 for help. I wish you good luck with disturbances and lewd behavior, since those are just some of the recent calls my office has assisted you with in the past.” See the original story here.

The sheriff's position drew a response by Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. On July 28, 2020 the Douglas County Library Director Amy Dodson and Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley met to discuss the Douglas County Public Library’s proposed statement of diversity.

“Sheriff Coverley and I had a very candid conversation about the statement and we both expressed our opinions regarding the intent of our exchanged correspondence,” said Dodson. “We agreed that we both support the people of Douglas County and this may have been an unfortunate circumstance of misunderstanding. The library respects and supports the work of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and appreciates everything they do to keep our community safe.”

The proposed diversity statement verbiage can be found here.

“I am passionate about and proud of the work the Sheriff’s Office does for all members of this community,” said Sheriff Coverley. “This has been a difficult time to be a law enforcement professional and can be disheartening when we perceive that our office may be under attack. My response was rooted in my belief that these issues need to be openly discussed in a way that values diversity and law enforcement.”