Re: White activism at Bellingham WA
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2020 9:49 pm
https://komonews.com/news/local/swastik ... police-say
Swastika stickers found on Bellingham businesses in hate crime incident, police say
by Tammy Mutasa, KOMO News ReporterMonday, October 12th 2020 BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A hate crime investigation is underway in Bellingham after Swastika stickers were plastered on several businesses this weekend.
Right now, Bellingham Police are looking for a person of interest seen on surveillance pictures.
Police say this weekend, several businesses in downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven were targeted with Swastikas and the warning, “We are everywhere.”
Businesses which were targeted include Brandywine Kitchen and Village Books where the stickers were posted in the business windows.
At Brandywine Kitchen, remnants of the Swastika sticker was plastered next to a newly painted ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign on the window.
Restaurant manager Alexis Sortor got to work and immediately scrubbed it off
“I was really mad, I was very angry,” said Sortor. “I was very angry to come in and find that after having this beautiful message just having been painted. And then coming in the next day to see that, it’s very frustrating.”
KOMO
Bellingham police released surveillance photos of the person of interest wearing a mask with a skull imprint. Police said the man is average build and height.
The Anti-Defamation League said hate speech and propaganda have been intensifying in the current political and election climate.
“We’re really concerned that we’re going to see a serious increase in hateful activity and propaganda and language,” said Miri Cypers with the Anti-Defamation League.
“I think in this particular moment with everything going on right now with racial justice conversations, coupled with a very heated election, said Cypers. “I think all of those things are brewing to be a very heated moment right now.”
Their center on extremism reviewed the flyers and can’t attribute them to a specific group, but they’ve seen individuals online bragging about distributing them.
“We’re not going to let this intimidate us into silence,” said Sortor.
Police say if you notice a sticker, please don’t touch it or remove it they want to process them for evidence and if you recognize the person of interest in the photos, you’re asked to call Bellingham Police or use the tip-line which can be found here.
Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood released a statement saying, “We are actively investigating this as a potential hate crime. A swastika is a symbol of people perpetuating violence against other people. It has no place in a civilized society. Here in Bellingham we condemn it entirely. This appalling display of hate and intolerance does not reflect the values of our community. It is disturbing to know we have even a few people this filled with rage and whose fear and resentments blind them from a common sense of dignity and decency. This is a small number of people who are fearful of the better future that the rest of us envision.”