SLO officials were flooded with angry emails after Tianna Arata arrest. Here’s what they said
In the days and weeks following the San Luis Obispo Police Department’s decision to press criminal charges against Black Lives Matter organizer Tianna Arata, city officials were inundated with a deluge of angry emails and voicemails from across the nation, records released by the city show.
More than 1,600 pages of emails released by the city in response to a public records request by The Tribune contained about 780 individually written emails sent to city email accounts — including council members, administrators, and law enforcement officials — the majority of which demanded the city drop its criminal case against Arata.
The city clerk says the city also received thousands more crafted through the use of roughly two dozen templates as part of organized email campaigns.
The city also received hundreds of messages voicing support for local law enforcement and the criminal prosecution of Arata, records show.
On Aug. 6, the San Luis Obispo Police Department announced it was recommending the county District Attorney’s Office file four felony counts of false imprisonment and a felony count of conspiracy; as well as three misdemeanor counts of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, inciting a riot, and unlawful assembly for Arata’s participation in a July 21 protest that blocked traffic on Highway 101.
News of Arata’s arrest went viral in the days following the announcement, with San Luis Obispo featuring prominently in coverage by Newsweek, Teen Vogue, Hip Hop Wired and MadameNoire, and fueled by Arata’s appearance on NBC TV and a trending #FREETIANNA hashtag on Twitter.
Reaction to the potential charges came swiftly and continuously for some time.
“The world is watching this situation unfold, and if you take part in this, then sending an innocent young Black woman to prison for doing nothing wrong, will be your legacy,” Annie Willis wrote to to City Manager Derek Johnson on Aug. 26.
It’s difficult to calculate the precise number of individual emails received by the city from a sender using a template. The City Clerk’s Office says a search for relevant records turned up 24,000 hits, but many emails were sent to multiple city email accounts, multiplying the number of relevant emails received by the city.
The records also show approximately 500 individual emails were sent from city email accounts in response to the incoming messages.
Additionally, the Police Department, City Clerk, and City Attorney’s offices also received 552 unique voicemails related to the Arata case.
Residents call Arata arrest ‘a terrible injustice’
Arata, 20, was arrested following a July 21, 2020, protest in San Luis Obispo in which she and about 300 other Black Lives Matter protesters marched onto Highway 101, blocking traffic for approximately 40 minutes.
She was arrested around 8 p.m. at Mitchell Park as she was getting into her car after the protesters had dispersed. She was released from County Jail without bail late that night.
A Police Department news release said that “the decision to arrest Arata was made in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office based on Arata’s actions and the actions of the organized group.”
Records provided by the city, however, show just one 28-minute phone call was made between police Capt. Brian Amoroso and Assistant District Attorney Eric Dobroth on July 21, at 9:01 p.m.
With the city’s police force already under scrutiny for ordering the use of tear gas and pepper bullets to disperse a peaceful crowd of protesters the month prior, then-police Chief Deanna Cantrell defended Arata’s arrest, saying Arata was the “leader and aggressor” of the July event in directing marchers, striking a vehicle with a flag pole and rushing to block cars.
Though many voiced support for the Police Department and Cantrell, the majority of messages received by the city claimed the cases against Arata and Elias Bautista, another protester arrested July 21, were unjust.
“These charges are a blatant attempt to terrorize peaceful protesters, and to repress their righteous calls for change,” one Bay Area resident wrote to the City Council on Aug. 11.
“This is a terrible injustice,” Kali Grinder wrote Johnson on Aug. 12. “If nothing is done about this then you are personally responsible for perpetuating the problem of racism in this country. Give this bright young girl the chance to have an impact.”
“You will be the villains when they make this into a movie,” Wendi Davis wrote to District Attorney Dan Dow, Johnson, and Sheriff Ian Parkinson on Aug. 11. “You are on the WRONG SIDE.”
“I stand with Tianna in her fight against a system that refuses to comply with reason and fairness toward someone so young, fighting for nationwide reform,” wrote Kenneth Minnick on Aug. 12. “I’m happy to pay my taxes to Santa Barbara County, and not to the paychecks of the San Luis Obispo County tyrants.”
But records show that as the news of Arata’s criminal case grew legs on social media and across national news outlets, misinformation about the situation ran rampant, including about what kind of legal jeopardy Arata faced, or even how government works.
“I believe the charges being made against her and the possibility of 15 years in prison for using her constitutional right to protest is absolutely ridiculous,” a person named Theo wrote to the city manager on Aug. 15, 2020. “I demand that Tianna should be released and her charges dropped.”
“Locking up Ms. Arata for 15 years is a blatant attempt at silencing the voice of a young person calling for justice,” Jamie Reeves wrote Aug. 12. “Young people should be encouraged to speak out, as they historically have, and now SLO County is getting national headlines for this ridiculous charge and attempt to criminalize this young person. Do better.”
Hundreds of messages echoed misinformation, but at that point, Arata had only spent a few hours in custody July 21 before being released without bail. She also hadn’t been criminally charged, and even if she were convicted of all the charges, attorneys familiar with the case said potential custody time — if any — would likely be served in County Jail.
It is unclear where the rumor of a potential 15-year prison sentence began, but that figure appears to have first been cited in a Cosmopolitan article, which was subsequently picked up by yahoo.com.
Records show that some city officials and council members made an effort to respond to residents’ concerns and correct the record if necessary.
Councilwoman Andy Pease, for example, had to resort to automatic responses to keep up with the incoming mail.
“ ... There are more perspectives and considerations than my own, including legal requirements and limitations, and the charges are now in the hands of the District Attorney’s Office,” Pease wrote in a general response to a resident demanding she drop Arata’s charges. “The DA would have to prove to a higher threshold, ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’ and there would be a judge and possible jury, so there are many steps to go before an outcome is determined.”
Former Councilman Aaron Gomez also sent replies to letter writers.
“I did want to reply just to let you know I do not actually have any more power in this circumstance than you do,” Gomez wrote to a resident Aug. 11. “I have been vocal in my opposition of the current District Attorney Dan Dow.”
Calls for police chief to be fired
Records show many people — including a past City Council member — called for Cantrell’s resignation, or that she be fired.
“The recommendation by the SLOPD will assure continuing civil unrest and is a slap in the face to all SLO city residents who believe in racial justice,” Robert Richey wrote the council Aug. 6. “A clear line is being drawn here, and it is imperative that the council get on the right side of this issue.”
“It seems Cantrell changes her mind a lot, so I’m in on asking for the removal of her as police chief,” Patricia Johnson of Los Osos wrote to Mayor Heidi Harmon on Aug. 17. “She’s way out of line on using tear gas & pepper spray on SLO citizens. ... Yes, Arata shouldn’t of (sic) tied up the 101, but IT’S A PROTEST, IT’S what’s going on, maybe it’s time to protest Cantrell!”
“I could hardly believe it when the SLOPD gassed protesters a few weeks ago, but you seemed to have de-escalated and I was hopeful for the future. Now, however, you’re back to business as usual, persecuting peaceful protesters and people of color,” Amanda Carpenter wrote to Cantrell on Aug. 6. “The more outrageously your department behaves, the more we, the otherwise docile and content residents of SLO County, will have to go out and protest against it.”
“I realize I do not live in SLO anymore and that I may be missing something. If not and if I were still on City Council, I would be demanding that City Manager Derek Johnson fire Chief Cantrell,” Andrew Carter, who served on the City Council from 2006 to 2014, wrote to council members. “Five felony charges and three misdemeanor charges against Ms. Arata seem like a frightening over-reaction and abuse of power.”
Carter continued: “... I hate to ask it. In fact, I do not know the answer to the question. But if Arata were a young white female instead of a young black one, would she be facing all these charges?”
Councilwoman Carlyn Christianson responded, “Thanks for writing. I might gently suggest that there is actually a great deal you are missing, so I’m glad you are aware that this might be the case.”
“Glad to know that,” Carter replied. “Unfortunately, I’m not aware that any significant part of the community knows what that ‘great deal you are missing’ is. The Tribune, given their editorial, doesn’t.”
He continued: “Once you/anyone have to start explaining that there are things people don’t know or Chief Cantrell has to start explaining that the legal definition of a riot is, you are losing the battle for hearts & minds. The optics of the SLOPD seemingly coming down like the wrath of God on this young woman are terrible.”
“Half the community wants the chief fired (by the city manager, the council has no power to do it) for not arresting and charging more protesters sooner, and half the community feels as you do and wants her fired for essentially the opposite reasons,” Christianson lamented to another resident emailer. “Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
Records provided to The Tribune do not show Cantrell responding directly to residents’ emails calling for her resignation.
She left the city in September to take over as police chief in Fairfield.
Support for arrests
Many residents, however, did write to support the city and Cantrell.
“I wanted to personally thank you for doing your proper job!” Roman Budek wrote Johnson on Aug. 13. “You should be held in high esteem for doing something which others have been negligent in doing. ... Please continue doing your excellent job in prosecuting these thugs!”
“An interesting read on Yahoo had your email plastered to it, and I wanted to reach out in support,” Michael Blank wrote to Johnson on Aug. 11. “I can only imagine how many emails you’re getting to curse you out, request for charges dropped, etc.”
“ ... I do want you to know that I am in full support of SLOPD proceeding with filing these charges. My hope is that the district attorney will pursue these charges to the fullest extent possible,” Rick Uhls, pastor of SLO Methodist Church, wrote to Cantrell on Aug. 6. “The idea that these two individuals should be given a free pass for their criminal actions is not one I can support in any way.”
Records also show city officials were under pressure from residents opposed to the local protests and demanding that the police put a stop to them.
“Can someone please give me a plausible reason for allowing this past protest that disrupted the comfort of others and carried a violent theme?” wrote Joan Smith.
“Don’t let (Arata) off. She is also responsible for the riots which spread the virus,” Lisa Miller wrote to Johnson on Aug. 11. “As an organizer, she has done nothing to help uplift the blacks. BLM stands for burn, loot and murder and are puppets of Soros who uses them as tools to create chaos and damage in their protests.”
Criticism aimed at the mayor
Many residents turned their ire over the protests and resulting criminal cases on the mayor, who joined protesters during many local events, including early in the day of the July 21 protest.
“I am writing to you as a concerned citizen that you would not only allow these protests to continue in the midst of a global pandemic, but you are out there supporting them!” Cherie DePaulo wrote Harmon on July 22. “Masks or no masks, this is irresponsible, not helping ‘the cause’ and is actually creating more anger and divisiveness.”
“It was such a HUGE DEBACLE on your part to help, encourage, assist Ms. Arata in dividing your city even MORE!!” Leslie Ferriera-Jones wrote to Harmon on Aug. 13. “Again, I am wholeheartedly supporting DA Dow to file the strictest, harshest charges against Arata. ... She is a pot-stirring/thug and NOT a peaceful, purposeful leader for the BLM movement and is only causing more division and deafening chaos to the message of police reform!”
“You are giving these unruly people the permission to destroy our city by your lack of healthy boundaries,” Susan Carnohan wrote Harmon on July 23.
Harmon did not respond to emails about her participation in local protests, in records reviewed by The Tribune.
City attorney discusses response
City Attorney Christine Dietrick said Monday that a strong public reaction was expected following the high-profile local event, but city officials underestimated the powerful emotions involved.
“We have a pretty engaged community and we always expect lots of public engagement on high-profile issues, but we were sort of surprised by this coordinated effort,” Dietrick said of the mostly critical feedback.
She said city administration, in normal operations, does a good job of responding directly and individually to its residents’ concerns. But in the fallout from the recommended charges, officials were swamped.
“I think that while everyone involved was trying to make a good-faith effort to make sure those (who contacted the city) had an understanding of the facts, but the sheer volume overwhelmed us,” Detrick said.
Many emails sent in a formulaic fashion were answered with a generic response, which did not sit well with many writing the emails.
Still, records show the city attempted to clarify that the Police Department had made the recommendation and that the case rested in the hands of county prosecutors.
“That’s the struggle when we’re getting the volume that we had coming in,” Dietrick said. “Generally we try to respond ... but at some point that just wasn’t possible to respond to what was effectively a chain letter that was based on some pretty fundamental misinformation and misunderstanding of the process.”
Though the letters have died down, Dietrick said the city continues to periodically receive correspondence related to the Arata case, including a few that appear to be automatically generated and sent from addresses across the country.
The messages are split into email and voicemail responses and posted on the city’s website. You can review them at bit.ly/3aKdA69.
This story was originally published February 23, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
