Opinion ID: 516086
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Dismissal of Williams

Text: 24 The court dismissed Williams. Dismissal is appropriate only if Richards could prove no facts in support of her claim to entitle her to relief. See Bergquist v. County of Cochise, 806 F.2d 1364, 1367 (9th Cir.1986). We review de novo. Id. 25 Richards alleges vaguely that all defendants, including Williams, are somehow involved in the discriminatory selection of clergy by the Methodist Church. Although she alleges blacklisting, malfeasance, and retaliation with government services, she seems to complain that Williams failed to help her. She also alleges defamation. 26 Even under our liberal standard for evaluating the dismissal of a pro se action, the court concluded correctly that Richards' vague and conclusory allegations were insufficient. See Mann v. City of Tucson, Dept. of Police, 782 F.2d 790, 793 (9th Cir.1986) (charges beyond negligence were entirely conclusory and unsupported by facts alleged in complaint). In Ivey v. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Alaska, 673 F.2d 266, 268 (9th Cir.1982), we dismissed a pro se civil rights complaint because it lacked specific factual allegations showing the defendants' participation in the alleged discriminatory practice. That occurred here. We do not supply essential elements of a claim that were not initially pleaded. Soffer v. City of Costa Mesa, 798 F.2d 361, 363 (9th Cir.1986); Ivey, 673 F.2d at 268. 27 Williams' failure to assist Richards was neither inappropriate nor actionable. See McDonough v. Ney, 599 F.Supp. at 683 (failure to intervene not actionable). The court concluded correctly that Richards could prove no set of facts to entitle her to relief. 2 28