>> News
>> Politics and Government
>> Nevada
Clark County GOP cancels meeting because of security concerns
The Clark County Republican Party's central committee has canceled a scheduled May 25 meeting because of security concerns.
Clark County Republican Party officials announce the cancellation of their meeting following a report that far-right activists plan to run for leadership positions.
By Rory Appleton / Las Vegas Review-Journal
Updated May 24, 2021 - 4:35 pm
Clark County Republican Party Chairman David Sajdak, center, speaks during a press conference as Vice Chair Stephen Silberkraus, right, and Attorney Jamie Serrano, Jr., left, look on at the Clark County Republican office, Monday May 24, 2021. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye
A Proud Boy supporter stands by protective shields as a few hundred people attend a second amendment rally at Riverfront Park on Saturday May 1, 2021 in Salem, Ore. (AP Photo/Paula Bronstein)
Clark County Republican Party Vice Chairman Stephen Silberkraus, center, speaks during a press conference as Chairman David Sajdak, right, and Attorney Jamie Serrano, Jr., left, look on at the Clark County Republican office, Monday May 24, 2021. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye
A video of Anti-Semitic content hosted by Keep Nevada Open on social media is played during a press conference where Clark County Republican Party Chairman David Sajdak spoke at the Clark County Republican office, Monday May 24, 2021, in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye
The Clark County Republican Party's central committee has canceled a scheduled Tuesday meeting because of security concerns, officials announced at a news conference Monday.
The cancelation follows a Review-Journal report that a group affiliated with the Proud Boys was attempting to elect a slate of leaders to the county party and had threatened several prominent Republicans.
Former Assemblyman Stephen Silberkraus, the Clark GOP's vice chair, read a statement from the party's executive board during the news conference.
He mentioned a series of threats made against party officials and elected leaders, as well as a plan to physically block entry into the party's chosen meeting venue, as the primary reasons for cancellation.
The party also displayed a number of social media posts that its leaders deemed antisemitic and grounds for barring a handful of far-right activists from their central committee — including Rudy Clai, Matt Anthony and Paul Laramie, who were mentioned at length in the Review-Journal's investigation.
"Members of this group have launched online attacks against some of our female elected officials, including a district court judge, a school board trustee, a state senator and our secretary of state," the statement said. "The Proud Boys call themselves 'proud chauvinists' and by their actions demonstrate the intent to target women and minorities in positions of authority."
Packing the streets
Chairman Dave Sajdak said the group used a social media group, Anthony's Keep Nevada Open page, as a forum to plan a blockade of their meeting — specifically, to fill the parking lot and pack the streets leading up to First Baptist Church of Las Vegas in order to harass the party's members and deny them entry to the meeting.
"After contacting (the Metropolitan Police Department), our request for a threat assessment was escalated to the domestic terrorism division," Silberkraus said. "While we are still waiting on the results of these threat assessments, our management team has decided that the risk to our members outweighs the value of this meeting."
Sajdak told the Review-Journal the party does not plan to hold another meeting until July, when new officers will be elected. Clai and Anthony were reportedly planning to seek top leadership positions. State Sen. Carrie Buck has previously announced she will seek the chair position.
Threats denied
Anthony denied having made any threats or having knowledge of the antisemitic posts made in his social media group, while Clai and Laramie did not respond to requests for comment in the Review-Journal's initial story. The group sued the Clark County party on Thursday, claiming its members have been illegally and improperly barred from participation.
Sajdak called the lawsuit "meritless" and declined to comment further. He also declined to identify the state senator who allegedly received threats.
"We welcome everyone that is a reasonable and decent human being who treats others with respect," Sajdak said of the decision to expel Clai, Anthony and the others. "I will never tolerate racist or hateful speech and attacking other people — human beings in this nature."
The Nevada Senate Republican caucus has also called for an investigation into a state central committee meeting at which members voted to censure Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske over her conduct of the 2020 election.
After the news conference, the No Mask Nevada PAC released a statement condemning the Clark County Republican Party. The group claimed it will hold a meeting without Sajdak, the party's executive board or its usual membership.
"The meeting will be held by existing Clark County GOP members who will have a quorum and hold the membership meeting anyway," No Mask Nevada said.
The group says it has recruited "potentially hundreds" of new members to oppose Buck's campaign for party leadership.
Reached by phone for comment, Sajdak said such a meeting would not have any standing.
Contact Rory Appleton at rappleton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0276. Follow @RoryDoesPhonics on Twitter.
Posted on: Local, Local Las Vegas, Nevada, News, Politics and Government
Tagged: Has Video, mc-news
MOST READ: POLITICS & GOVT
California lags as other Colorado River states agree on water cuts
Thousands of California businesses have fled Golden State for Las Vegas
Ex-judge who resigned after ethics probe dies by suicide
Former electrician hopes to reform medical debt collection during first legislative session
Assemblyman Max Carter II, a newly elected lawmaker from east Las Vegas, hopes to reform medical debt collection during his first term in office.
History teacher, former Marine hopes to increase education spending
Assemblyman Reuben D'Silva, a new lawmaker from east Las Vegas, said increasing funding for K-12 and higher education is his top priority.
Steven Horsford to meet with Joe Biden to discuss police reform
By Jessica Hill / RJ
The Congressional Black Caucus chairman is calling for changes following the death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers.
Titus introduces bill to ban high-capacity magazines
The Keep Americans Safe Act would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of high-capacity magazines that hold more than 15 rounds.
By Colton Lochhead / RJ
Six out of seven Colorado River basin states have settled on a proposed set of cuts aimed at saving the crumbling river system and preventing Lake Mead and Lake Powell from crashing — with one very notable state missing from the agreement.
STEVE SEBELIUS: 3 ideas for the 2023 Legislature
By Steve Sebelius / RJ
The 2023 Legislature will consider more than 1,000 bills and resolutions. Here are three ideas they should adopt before they adjourn in June.
January 28, 2023 - 9:08 am January 31, 2023 - 10:32 am
Online retailer TheDrop.com launched in San Francisco in 2017, but CEO Matt Falcinelli knew all along that when it was time to establish the streetwear company's headquarters it couldn't be in California.
Former California politician hopes to bring past experience to Nevada Legislature
State Sen. Jeff Stone said he hopes to bring his experience from serving in the California state Senate to the Nevada Legislature.
UNLV official Smith Newby considered for Assembly appointment
'A big embarrassment': Leaked video sparks turmoil in Nevada GOP
Lombardo sworn in as governor in small Carson City ceremony
Smith Newby appointed to state Assembly District 10
Nevada sees some of the lowest COVID-19 levels in US