Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Refuse Fascism claimed it did not share intel with local police.

Several protests are taking place for the upcoming July 24, Erika Kirk “Make Heaven Crowded Again,” speaking event in Kirkland, but today, Indivisible Eastside announced how it is backing out due to fear of bad actors. This comes after Indivisible Eastside, Capitol Hill Seattle Pride, and Refuse Fascism shared intel with the local police department for what was originally meant to be a protest from 3-9 p.m.

“In talking with members of the directly impacted groups we have come to realize that the most effective method of dealing with this event is to ignore it,” Indivisible Eastside said.

Earlier this month, far-right propagandist Jonathan Choe got a hold of the group’s protest flyer and said, “I fully expect every patriot in the state to show up and fight back.” Less than a week later, TtS broke news about 20 members of the white supremacist and neofascist group, Patriot Front, marching in a Kirkland neighborhood.

“We know this individual and their followers are looking to provoke conflict and use it as an attention-grabbing opportunity. We refuse to play into their narrative by engaging with them and potentially creating more airtime for their toxic discourse,” Indivisible Eastside said.

Instead of the three groups protesting together, Indivisible Eastside said Capitol Hill Seattle Pride will hold a sign-waving event about half a mile away from the Pursuit NW Church at the intersection of 132nd and 85th from 3-6 p.m.

Meanwhile, the American Party of Labor (APL) Puget Sound Division is gearing up for its protest outside the church, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Division Secretary Ivanna previously told TtS that the biggest safety concerns have been splintered protests, and that the main efforts of protesters should be at the church.

“We want to send a very, very clear message to Erika Kirk that the organized, active, conscious, and progressive forces in the Puget Sound will not stand for fascist pundits like Erika Kirk and Turning Point USA to be in our area,” Ivanna previously said.

Those wishing to become involved can reach out to the APL Puget Sound Division or any of the groups listed on its protest flyer.

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