A Fairbanks News-Miner opinion columnist is facing scrutiny and potential legal consequences after publishing a vitriolic social media post calling for the death of a conservative activist in Interior Alaska.
In her column in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner targeting Borough Assembly member Barbara Haney, Rebekah McNabb, a featured opinion writer at the News-Miner, penned a column accusing Barbara Haney of being a promoter of fascism and associating her with extremist ideologies. She called for a protest at a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce event on Tuesday, which prompted extra security to be stationed at the door of the Westmark Conference Center. In addition to the governor’s own usual security team, there were State Troopers posted at the door.
The column, which lacks substantive evidence and singles out the local elected official and sitting governor for personal vilification and claims of “fascism,” has raised questions about the judgment of the newspaper that serves Interior Alaska.
The controversy escalated sharply after it was revealed that McNabb, posting under the name “Rivka Dean” on social media, wrote a disturbing message a week ago referencing another conservative activist in Fairbanks, saying, “she’s gonna get herself shot one of these days lol I’ll have a cake when it happens.”
The post is an incitement and endorsement of violence. The woman’s social media account has since been suspended by Facebook due to going against “community standards.”
McNabb’s column had framed the planned protest as resistance to what she described as a “creeping fascism” in local politics, a claim not only inflammatory but possibly dangerous in light of her subsequent online threat. About 25-30 people showed up at her protest on Tuesday.
While opinion writing is protected by the First Amendment, statements that defame a public official and those that threaten violence may not be.
If the victim of the social media post were to pursue legal action, McNabb could be exposed to civil liability for calling for the death of someone, with the insinuation of a reward.
Activist Kelly Nash, the subject of the violent social media post, has called for a criminal investigation.
