Editor’s note: the print version of the story had an error using “condone” instead of “condemn” in the first sentence. We apologize for the mistake. – MD

After initial plans to wait and potentially discuss racial issues, Sequim city councilors will consider a resolution at their June 22 meeting asking them to condemn discrimination and racism in the city and city government.

Initially, Sequim city manager Charlie Bush proposed opening up a community dialogue at the June 8 Sequim city council meeting to gain a “deeper understanding from different perspectives” about national issues that culminated in Black Lives Matter protests and vigils in the city in recent weeks.

He said the Sequim Police Department has received numerous calls and he felt “it was an opportunity for a discussion” using trained facilitators within the city staff.

City councilor Brandon Janisse said he agreed with Bush about engaging the community.

“When I talk to people, I tell them I can’t help make changes or policies from what I don’t know,” he said.

Janisse said a discussion could be something to educate themselves because “Sequim as a community has its own unique challenges.”

Other councilors, however, were hesitant to immediately schedule such a community conversation, while mayor William Armacost issued a statement a few days later on the City of Sequim website (see below).

The day after the meeting, Sequim resident Shenna Younger started an online petition seeking the city council to denounce systemic racism, which as of Tuesday has more than 1,600 signatures.

The petition condemns racism and asks city councilors to allow discussions.

Younger and other Sequim residents Nicole Clark and Vicki Lowe spoke on March 9 holding signs of example racist comments against the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe they said they saw on the Save Our Sequim Facebook page. Organizers and moderators for the page said at the same city council meeting they deleted the comments and don’t condone or allow those comments.

Save Our Sequim also issued a statement last week (see below).

On the petition page, Younger wrote that their plea then for councilors to denounce racism was ignored in March, too.

“You are our elected leaders and now you have council members not even willing to discuss the topic of racism in our community,” Younger wrote.

“If you are not willing to discuss the biggest issue at hand, step down. We need real leaders willing to have real conversations and come up with viable solutions to combat this horrible behavior happening in our city.”

Read more about the petition here: www.change.org/p/mayor-armacost-and-sequim-city-council-dencounce-systemic-racism-in-our-community.

Resolution

Janisse will present a resolution written by Younger about racism in the city that he asked be discussed at the June 22 city council meeting.

“As an official, I’m responsive to what the community wants and that’s what I’m doing,” he said in a phone interview. “I’m presenting it on behalf of Miss Younger.”

Bush said in a phone interview that the resolution will be available online later this week on the city’s website to view and that he and Deputy Mayor Tom Ferrell agreed to put it on the council agenda.

The resolution seeks the city to remove barriers keeping citizens experiencing Sequim to its full potential; that the city does not support or tolerate hate speech, discrimination, and racism; that groups providing a platform for hate speech, discrimination, or racism have no place in city government or the community; and that the city will implement/continue anti-harassment and anti–discrimination training on an annual basis for employees.

Mayor, SOS statements

On June 11, Armacost released a statement that was posted to the City of Sequim’s website:

“The City of Sequim is opposed to racism, bigotry, intolerance, and bias of any form. Based on current racial tensions, the City wants to assure the community that the organization, including its governing body and staff, will manage and lead to ensure equal and fair treatment of every citizen.

Respect, defined as “We treat those we serve and each other with courtesy, dignity, and understanding because every person matters,” is one of the organization’s stated and adopted values. Council and staff are committed to serving all citizens of Sequim with respect and will continue to strive to earn the respect of the public and build a community together that makes us all proud.”

Bush said some of the proposed resolution includes verbiage from the mayor.

SOS statement

Save Our Sequim’s board of directors issued a statement on June 11, denouncing racism as well as backing city leaders and the Sequim Police Department to “efforts to maintain law and order during these difficult and contentious times.”

The statement reads (in full):

“Considering recent events and the impact these events have had on our community: Save Our Sequim (SOS) unequivocally condemns racism in all its forms. We are a diverse, non-partisan group with over 2,500 members. We are aware that some people want to vent their opinions on social media, however, SOS has standards that we adhere to and moderators of the SOS Facebook page immediately remove objectionable and/or racist posts as soon as they come to their attention.

Save Our Sequim supports Mayor Armacost, the Sequim City Council and our Police and Sheriff Departments in their efforts to maintain law and order during these difficult and contentious times; SOS is aligned with these public organizations against racism. We are fortunate that our public agencies continue to remain free from any widespread or systemic racism.

It is unfortunate that people still experience individual episodes of racism in Sequim, on the Olympic Peninsula or anywhere they may live and work. Regretfully there will always be a few calloused and hurtful people because the human race is imperfect. We have all suffered as a result of their conduct at one time or another.

Hopefully we can all agree that wherever and whenever racism appears, it should be called out and eradicated.

Sincerely,

Save Our Sequim Board of Directors.”

In the past week, the Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce, Sequim School District and Clallam County commissioners released statements or initial draft statements condemning racism and racist acts; read them online at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/sequimgazette.

Chamber statement

Jim Stoffer, president of the Sequim-Dungeness Chamber of Commerce, said the organization that supports local businesses and the community also released statements last week, addressing both protests and an incident in Forks:

In a Facebook post, the chamber board said: “In solidarity with our Sibling Chamber of Commerce in Forks – we also condemn these intolerant actions. While they in no way reflect the majority of our citizens, and the spirit of the Olympic Peninsula — it is important to acknowledge that this is a problem that needs to be addressed and eradicated. We stand against racism, bigotry, discrimination, and oppression in all its forms.”

A second post reads: “The Business Community is for everyone. We stand in solidarity with Black business owners, managers, employees and volunteers. We stand against racism, bigotry, discrimination & oppression, especially that which exists within ourselves and our systems. We wish to learn and grow together and support each other in being a greater force for good. #BlackLivesMatter”

Stoffer added in an interview on on June 12 that, “We are highly supportive and appreciative of Sequim PD and the leadership of chief (Sheri) Crain.

“We have a morality and ethical responsibility to support all peoples of our community.”

Sequim schools statement

Sequim school board directors agreed on June 15 to draft a statement denouncing racist acts and to clarify the district’s position of offering a safe environment for its students.

That statement will undergo some rewriting and be posted on the district website this week, board directors said.

“We felt it would be important for the board to put a statement together regarding our thoughts around racism,” board president Brandino Gibson said.

Board director Brian Kuh offered the initial draft at Monday’s meeting.

“I just felt it was important to start to make some sort of statement,” he said.

The statement reads, in full:

”As our community grieves for the senseless killing of George Floyd and other recent tragic events, a groundswell of support for citizens of all colors has turned that grief into action. In addition to peaceful demonstrations that have taken place, hard questions are being asked by all of us and our ingrained behaviors are being challenged as to whether or not they passively extend systemic racism and injustice.

The Sequim School Board stands in solidarity with our community by recognizing the shameful legacy of racism in our country, and we are determined to review our district and programs to ensure that equity for each and every student is achieved. We know we have work to do to close the equity gaps that exist for students of color and those who come from under resourced households.

We recognize the importance of our relationship with local law enforcement agencies and are grateful most for the ongoing collaboration with the Sequim Police Department. Together, we have partnered to provide School Resource Officers that are a part of our district family and work hard to keep our students safe by remaining vigilant in our schools and building trust with our students and staff alike. Thank you, Sequim PD, for your service and commitment to our schools and community.

We know that the path to true equity is difficult, and that racism remains even within our beloved community, but the Sequim School District is dedicated to pursuing a learning environment that provides each student with the best resources they deserve regardless of their social status or color of their skin. You have our unyielding commitment to work towards this righteous pursuit.

‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Stoffer, the chamber president who is also a Sequim School Board director, noted that “(The district has) several policies put there already, but it’s more impactful to have one statement, especially in this day and age.”

Board director Eric Pickens added, “That’s a firm stand we should take as a board.”

Sequim schools superintendent Dr. Rob Clark said that he’d like to see the district pursue funding for more cameras on school campuses. He referenced the racist and anti-Semitic artwork found at Sequim High School over winter break during the 2016-2017 school year. Having cameras in place would have helped determine which student violated the district’s policies banning such material.

Clallam County statement

Clallam County commissioners will consider an action plan to address institutional discrimination.

Chairman Mark Ozias proposed on June 15 a statement of values and an eight-point action plan in response to George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, Minn.

The draft statement, which commissioners will consider in a future meeting, acknowledges the call to action that hundreds of thousands have made at protests, marches and vigils in Clallam County and across the nation to address institutional racism and discrimination.

“We recognize that Clallam County government is an institution and commit to working with other elected officials, staff members from throughout county government and county residents to re-double our efforts to ensure that Clallam County government does not practice, condone or support discrimination of any kind,” the proposed statement reads.

“We believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and compassion. We particularly acknowledge the discrimination faced by Native Americans and members of the Hispanic community that marks our region’s past and present, and we commit to a future that continually builds dialogue and relationship with all marginalized peoples throughout Clallam County.”

Police chief response

During his city manager report on June 8, Bush opened the floor to Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain, who read a statement she shared on the City of Sequim’s Government Facebook page:

“We are getting lots of comment from the public regarding the circumstances of (then) last week’s protest rally and subsequent actions by a local business owner. Some comments are positive in nature, thankful that calm and reasonable action by all parties allowed the protest to complete their event in a peaceful manner while respecting everyone’s constitutional rights. Some comments are expressing concerns or have questions regarding the business owner’s actions.

“The Police Department took active steps to monitor this event for the safety of the participants, local businesses, and citizens in general. Safety is our primary mission. (our basic goal) We used much the same approach to the protest/rally held on June 4. The difference between the two events was the insertion of social media, to include a Facebook livestream post that went viral, alleging or expressing concerns regarding the potential of outside agitators at the event. At no time was that allegation or concern founded in factual evidence.

“The police at the time of the event, based on the information known or witnessed at the time, did not have probable cause to believe a crime had been committed by the business owner with his actions. The police department is cooperating with the investigation being conducted by the sheriff’s department (regarding) into later events that happened in Forks that may have some nexus to the business owner’s comments made during the Sequim based protest. (continue to cooperate with them).

“Arrests or criminal charges can only be made based on facts to support a violation of law. Just like we support the constitutional exercises of the 1st amendment we also believe in equal and fair treatment based on the law when taking enforcement action.”

She added that the June 3 protest had unfounded rumors circulated on social media about it.

“Every community needs to have its own conversation with riot, race conversations. Policing also comes up in that regard,” she said.

“Washington state is not Minnesota. Minneapolis is not Sequim. They need to deal with their own problems. They’re going to see a federal lawsuit that’s going to change their landscape.”

Crain said “heightened emotions lead to all sorts of things (and) ideas get thrown out and they want to see what’s going to stick on a wall.”

The Sequim Police Department is “happy to be part of conversations as they move forward,” she said. “I think we’ll be able to navigate out of this. We need to do things differently.”

Prior to reading the statement, Crain talked about seeing the video of Minneapolis man George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on May 25 was ruled a homicide. She said, “(I don’t) know if I’ve seen too many more appalling things in my life … we’re all processing on how to move forward.”

Protest talk

On June 8, city councilors felt waiting to discuss issues would be best with deputy mayor Tom Ferrell saying he’d “be willing to talk about (this) after the dust settles from everything and from the emotions across the nation.

“I don’t want to do knee-jerk things,” he said.

City councilor Troy Tenneson agreed on waiting saying there are “emotions on both sides” and, “as the City of Sequim, I think holding our cards now is the best move.”

City councilor Mike Pence said, “It’s too soon to see which way this is going to go.

“Now that the two political parties have gotten involved, it’s going to be funny to see who comes out on top and what’s under them when they come up,” he said.

Councilor Sarah Kincaid said waiting was a good idea.

“I myself am known to be an activist occasionally and I always try to keep in mind, If I deny someone else their rights, then I’m denying mine as well,” she said.

Kincaid added that “as long as it’s peaceful, I may not agree with them, but it is their right.”

Armacost said that moving forward the city needs to move quickly with how they can reopen businesses and focusing energy on a decision to close a portion of Washington Street on the Fourth of July.

“Let’s get past the Fourth of July, and at that point see if we need to reengage the community and talk about bringing it back to the community,” he said.

Armacost said he’s not putting his head in the sand.

“We are very fortunate to have an outstanding police force that is communicating with citizens and keeping them safe,” he said.

“That’s something that not a lot of communities are fortunate to have.”

Bush said in another interview that city staff discussed the idea beforehand and he respected the council’s decision. He said he also doesn’t want to go forward with a discussion without their approval.

“They feel it’s premature and we should wait a little bit,” Bush said.

“We as an organization are in talks with the community all the time.”

Police appreciation

Some Sequim city councilors said they appreciated the police force’s actions. Tenneson said he drove by the June 3 protest saying he heard that a few people “jumped out in front of cars but it wasn’t really that bad; it was a little touch-and-go.”

Sequim Police reported no criminal incidents from peaceful protesters during any of the three demonstrations on June 3-5.

Crain said her staff were in contact with multiple law enforcement agencies to fact-check and gather intelligence regarding potential violence during the peaceful protests.

She added that the Olympic Peninsula has the “ability to ramp up response very quickly if needed … but you have to base your response on facts on the ground. You don’t get to make those things up or overreact.”

Armacost gave kudos to Crain, saying the fact that she “walks the walk is huge.”

“The sad reality of the world we live in is the newsreel is 24-7 and what we’re given is rarely 100 percent of the facts,” he said.

Armacost added that he feels the word vigilante has been “thrown into the mix without really truly accepting and understanding what that meaning is.

“Often men become little boys when their testosterone gets cooking,” he said. “They say things and do things sometimes they have to apologize and recant.”

Armacost said a vigilante has to take action to be considered a law-breaker, but that FREDS Guns owner Seth Larson did not break the law.

“There’s nothing there other than exercising his constitutional rights,” Armacost said.

“If things had gotten out of hand, our tiny town would have a different landscape if things had happened.”

Ferrell said he admired protesters exercising their first amendment rights.

“When it crosses over into violence, we’re all upset,” he said.

Ferrell added that the gun owners he knows love their first amendment rights and he would be disappointed if they didn’t respect others’ rights.

“I think both are important; vigilante, vigil and valiant are not swear words,” he said.

“We are vigilant in what we do. We watch our kids. I just want everyone to go to their inherent strengths of talking things out.

“You can really look at things calmly and it doesn’t have to get crazy.”

He encouraged people to study the Constitution.