Pine: Agitator photos not credible

Calls for peaceful expression of First Amendment rights

News Release from Office of Councilmember Kym Pine, June 5, 2020

HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I — Honolulu City Councilmember Kym Pine today addressed rumors that professional agitators have arrived in the islands to stir up trouble at peaceful protests being staged to honor George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

“I have been working with the law enforcement community and they have looked into the photos that have been shared online. They have verified that these men have legitimate reasons that they are coming here, that they are not protestors or agitators in the ANTIFA that are coming here to ruin the peaceful protests.”

Pine encouraged all to make their voices known. “Use the internet to share your ideas your passion and even your anger about certain things, but use it in a positive way, that will make Hawai‘i better for the future.”

“This can be our moment … where we say ‘We live with Aloha, with Kapu Aloha, where we handle crises and our anger with Aloha, and where we handle disagreements with Aloha,’” Pine said. “It is important now, more than ever, that we come together, like in the old days in the communities where we took care of each other … because that’s how we are going to survive, as a people, in Hawai‘i.”

She calls on residents to show love to each other, to show strength and honor. “I believe you have a right to feel however it is you feel right now. I know you will be safe, you will not be violent and you will not hurt people, because that’s who we are.”

The full video can be seen here:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2299190770384200

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ILind: Hawaii among communities hit by sophisticated disinformation campaign

SA: Hawaii Attorney General Clare Connors dispels rumors of out-of-state troublemakers at protests -- Michael Kitchens, founder of the Facebook group Stolen Stuff Hawaii, urged its members not to repost such rumors.

HNN: Hawaii A.G. responds to online rumors of violence at planned weekend protests -- Some stores at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center have begun boarding up windows, and multiple luxury retailers along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki were also seen taking action to prevent vandalism.

Related: More Black Lives Matter protests planned for Oahu this weekend