FRESNO, Calif. — Fresno’s Church of Lucifer says it was preparing to launch its first-ever “Tiny Torches” youth program this weekend, but organizers say threats of violence targeting both the group and the Woodward Park Library forced a last-minute change of plans.
FOX26 News reporter Mayra Franco spoke with organizers and library officials about the controversy and what happens next.
Organizers say they are moving forward with the event at a different location despite what they describe as harassment and threats.
They also say they feel for the library, which they believe has been caught in the middle of the situation.
A library spokesperson says the facility has “never experienced this level of public response” related to a community group’s use of a meeting room.
The youth program was originally scheduled to take place at Woodward Park Library.
However, organizers say a wave of threats directed at both the church and the library led to the cancellation of the event at that location.
According to organizers, some of those threats were severe.
“That they would burn the library down with us and the children inside, wanting to know where our church was so that they could burn it down. Things of that nature, putting hands on us,” said Tambra Asher, CEO of the Church of Lucifer.
Organizers say they have nothing but respect for the library and understand why officials made the decision to cancel.
“They had people come in and threaten them, their staff, the building, and they were really scared. After speaking with their own security and their own team, they decided that it was not safe for them to have this event here on that day,” said Angel Goss, Director of Communications.
Despite the backlash, organizers say the event is still moving forward.
It has now been relocated to Eaton Plaza Park near the Fresno Water Tower, where they say they will continue with the same planned activities.
Organizers describe “Tiny Torches” as a program designed to educate and engage young people through creative activities and discussions centered around the summer solstice.
“It’s just something we’ve kind of had a lot of interest in. We’ve had a lot of parents saying, ‘Hey, I want my children to learn more about the solstices. I want my children to learn more about nature projects,’” an organizer said.
FOX26 reached out to Woodward Park Library for comment.
A spokesperson said the decision to cancel the reservation was made out of concern for the safety of staff, patrons, and the community following threats made against the facility.
She also said, “We are taking the Facebook threats seriously and are increasing our security presence at the Woodward branch. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Department has also been notified.”
The library also noted that the community meeting room reservation was submitted under the name “Tiny Torches,” and said the information provided did not indicate the reservation was being made on behalf of, or in affiliation with, any other organization.