Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Several people associated with the American Party of Labor (APL) Puget Sound Division spoke about the need for collective community action and self defense at the July 7, Seattle City Council meeting. These remarks come after far-right content creators harassed LGBTQ+ community members in Cal Anderson Park for the past several months for the purpose of clip farming, which on at least one occasion, led to these bad actors drawing a handgun.

“Your $486 million police force defended violent criminals against the masses of innocent and frustrated people during Pride Month, when these people should feel the safest in our city,” Scott, a candidate member of APL Puget Sound Division said. “You all used Queer issues as a platform for election, for photo opps, but when the Queer community is in clear danger from Nazi-organizations, you are silent and instead send the child-beating-brigade of SPD to defend these vile bigots.”

Scott highlighted how after MAGA content creators target LGBTQ+ community members merely existing in historically Queer parts of the city, that SPD officers respond to their acts of self defense through violence and arrests. On the June 24 incident, community members were having a rat rave party near the park’s St. Rat mosaic when three bad actors sat directly in front of them filming. The ravers told them to get lost, but it led to several altercations, including two ganging up on one Trans person who is unhoused, who responded with pepper spray and was later arrested as a result. At the same time, a gun was drawn and a magazine full of bullets was left in the park, as previously reported by TtS.

“Only the people of Seattle have been successful in protecting themselves, while you all sit by idly. You are nothing without the people, city council, and we are realizing this. Remember this as your failings inevitably continue. Remember the people’s movements against injustice and the vampiric systems you uphold. The people will always fight for true freedom— by any means necessary,” Scott added.

APL Puget Sound Division press secretary, Ivanna, spoke about Christopher Leahy, who is accused of murdering 19-year-old Juniper Blessing, a Transgender UW student, on the night of Mother’s Day while finishing up her load of laundry. Ivanna encouraged the council to sign a civil emergency for an internal Trans refugee crisis, and said that by refusing to sign, the council is complacent in the emerging genocide of Transgender people. Although protesters took to the streets in May regarding the need for such civil emergency to be signed, Mayor Katie Wilson instead, alongside the Seattle Office of Civil Rights, created the Trans and Queer Community Stabilization Interdepartmental Team, which the King County Republican Party has recently vowed to dismantle.

Ivanna noted how the APL Puget Sound Division will tactically train and assist Trans community members when it comes to protecting their lives.

“We will arm them to the teeth,” Ivanna added.

Starting self defense training

To get started with self defense training, Ivanna told TtS to reach out to the Party on social media so people can become connected with members most familiar with firearms. Then, there will be a discussion about individual needs, experience with firearms, and purchasing and training with one’s first handgun.

“We in the APL can guide you through first steps, like acquiring your HB-1143 safety training program and where to do that, make recommendations on first guns, range days either 1-on-1 or group range days [that are] coming soon, FFL transfers and navigating ATF form 4473 as someone who may have changed their name, and beyond,” Ivanna told TtS.

Successfully combating right-wing grifters

Since Pride Month has ended, the APL Puget Sound Division has seen fewer far-right grifters harassing people in Cal Anderson Park, although the group is actively patrolling the area, with several members and supporters existing in the nearby vicinity. Ivanna said if these bad actors are spotted, to contact the Party on social media so that they can rally community members to drive these fascists out of the park, named after Washington state’s first openly-Gay state senator. Only in intense cases of community defense will Party members or community members use self-defense tactics, like pepper spray.

“Given SPD’s history of protecting these types, it is always necessary to film the interactions, and remember that we are likely also being filmed. Acting in accordance with the law, or separating yourself from the situation swiftly if otherwise, is the best way to avoid community members being arrested,” Ivanna said.

The greatest risk these MAGA content creators pose, according to Ivanna, is the footage they post for their propaganda. The best way to combat being clip farmed if showing up to resist these bad actors is to mask-up, wear non-descriptive clothing, and create unified group action.

MAGA content creators already giddy over Erika Kirk’s upcoming event

Fascist national leader, Erika Kirk, is coming to Kirkland on July 24, for a “Make Heaven Crowded Tour,” speaking event, and several protests are underway, including one organized by the APL Puget Sound Division. TtS recently reported on how several propagandists with direct connections to the White House, including Jonathan Choe and Brandi Kruse, are bringing attention to and rallying “patriots,” for a counter protest.

“When people like Erika Kirk are able to come to our cities peacefully, the end result is a further emboldened group of right-wing content creators. They feel like they can get away with more if Erika Kirk were to not be met with opposition,” Ivanna said.

The APL Puget Sound Division said a large amount of protesters are needed for this event, and noted how other groups, like Refuse Fascism and Indivisible Eastside, are hosting their own splintered protests that day. Ivanna said this is dangerous, as it can allow police to disperse groups easier, particularly when protests for one event start at different times, and can more easily lead to violent crackdowns. TtS and activists both expect the event to be riddled with feds in addition to local police.

“Unifying these protests is vital for the safety and efficacy of the movement, and we recommend all organizations align with the main protest against Erika Kirk’s event, starting at 5:30 p.m., as to unify the movement and give it them most strength,” Ivanna said.

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