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Lee County NAACP cancels protest over threats of violence

Posted at 9:04 PM, Jun 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-02 21:05:07-04

LEE COUNTY, FL. — A protest set to happen Tuesday in downtown fort Myers was canceled as a safety measure.

The right to peacefully gather ruined by threats of hate.

The President of the Lee County NAACP told FOX 4 the protest had to be canceled over threats of violence made on a white supremacist website.

James Muwakkil says the Lee County Sheriff's Office advised the Lee County NAACP Chapter to cancel the protest.

Muwakkil says the threats were made towards businesses in Downtown Fort Myers, including threats to burn down buildings.

The Lee County NAACP canceled the protest out of an abundance of caution to prevent anyone from getting hurt.

"We did identify two white supremacists yesterday," Muwakkil.

Muwakkil says the chapter's attorney was able to identify the individuals during Monday's protest.

"Our attorneys did, they talked to them," said Muwakkil.

FOX 4 did reach out to the Lee County Sheriff's Office but have not received a response regarding these threats.