Death threats force Fresno library to cancel youth solstice event

Death threats forced Fresno County Public Library to cancel a youth event planned for Woodward Park Regional Library, then sent organizers looking for another venue in downtown Fresno. The Church of Lucifer’s Tiny Torches program, built around a Summer Solstice theme for children and families, is now set for Eaton Plaza amphitheater at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13.

The library said it canceled the meeting-room reservation because of safety concerns and made clear the program was put on by an outside organization, not by the library itself. Staff at the branch, which sits at 944 E Perrin Avenue in Fresno, said the decision came after the event drew heavy online attention and threats aimed at both the organizers and the library.

Organizers said the backlash escalated quickly after social media posts spread the story. Candace Liles, the group’s director of community outreach, said the idea grew out of parents asking for youth programming during pagan events, and that the event was meant to include arts and crafts, books and age-appropriate lessons tied to the Summer Solstice. One organizer said the threats included burning the library down with children inside.

The cancellation carried unusual weight for the Fresno County system. Library staff said it was the first event in 25 years, since Woodward Park Regional Library opened, that they believed had to be canceled because of threats and safety concerns. Fresno County Public Library also says branch hours and services can change on short notice, underscoring how quickly a public space can be disrupted when security concerns take over the conversation.

The relocated program is still listed as Tiny Torches, with a tentative agenda that includes sign-in, a Wheel of the Year overview, practices from different cultures and sun deities, and a focus on learning about the earth’s cycles and how magical nature is. The Church of Lucifer describes itself as a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a modern spiritual community, a detail that puts the event squarely in the broader debate over whether controversial groups can use public spaces without intimidation, and whether libraries can protect access while responding to threats.