News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sep. 21, 2022
Contact:
City of Riverside Releases Official Statement Regarding July 30, 2022 Incident RIVERSIDE, Calif. – In response to a public message posted by Sheriff Chad Bianco regarding the Courthouse incident that took place on Saturday, Ju ly 30, 2022, the Riverside Police Department has confirmed that no Riverside City Councilmembers were involved in the Abortions Rights event that led to the vandalism of the historic courthouse located in the city’s jurisdiction.
On Saturday, July 30, 2022 - A group of abortions rights protesters damaged the hist oric courthouse which led to the arrest of severa l members of the group. It has been confirmed that no Riverside City Council Members were investigated, involved, or arrested.
On Sunday, July 31, 2022 - Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco posted a public message on social media platforms implying that a Riverside City Councilwoman was involved and/or supported the incident located in Downtown Riverside. The Sherif f later posted on social media platforms that the Councilwoman he referred to was Councilwoman Clarissa Cervantes. Sheriff Bianco’s statements were ill-informed and placed all thre e Councilwomen in potential danger as they rece ived numerous threatening communications caused by the wrongful misinformation.
Councilwoman Cervantes publicly denied at a City Council Meeting and elsewhere any participation in the protest or providing support to the protesters. According to spokesperson Ryan Railsback of Riverside Police Department, video evidence from the Riverside Police Department Officer’s body cam corroborates the information that Councilwoman Cervantes was not involved in this incident.
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