PUNTA GORDA (WSNN) – Rumor or Fact? Social Media platforms are causing fear and confusion and it’s falling to local law enforcement.
A Facebook post showing bricks laid out in a corner near a post sparked much debate online.
People are scared of whether this is an act of violence in preparation for a riot in Punta Gorda or not.
But, Punta Gorda Police Lt. And spokesperson, Dylan Renz, says otherwise.
“The reality is, there was a small number of pavers that had been put to the side on a sidewalk as part of a Florida Department of Transportation Project that’s been ongoing,” Lt. Renz said.
He says it wasn’t even on the planned protest route and ’March for Justice’ organizers are planning a peaceful protest for Friday evening.
The protest begins at Laishley Park through East Retta Esplanade taking it through downtown Punta Gorda to then end a in the back parking lot of City Hall.
Lt. Renz says the organizers are stressing it will be non-violent and entirely peaceful.
“The organizers actually contacted us, they had received some threats on their side as well,” Lt. Renz said. “And, they requested that the police department participate and stand by.”
He says the intention of the officer is to ensure the safety of both the protestors and the public.
“And to ensure that no one infringes upon their right to gather peacefully and protest,” Lt. Renz said. “And to to also make sure that nobodies enters this protest with the intent of causing harm, violence, or vandalism.”
If a riot were to occur, Lt. Renz says they will handle any criminal act as such.
“We completely encourage the peaceful protests of our citizens,” Lt. Renz said. “We encourage people to come out as long as they have good intentions.”
He says Chief Pamela Davis will be marching alongside the protestors.
Other rumors have spread about threats of vandalism to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Veterans Park and threats of outsiders coming to Punta Gorda to bust the peaceful protest. He says all of these were spread on social media, and after investigating, there is no credible information to say either will happen.
