Photo Courtesy of New Moon Cafe, Olympia, WA
To Our Dear Olympia Community,
In the wake of mass movements across the country which aim to dismantle systemic racism, even our small city has a role to play. As Olympia strives toward a safe, peaceful, and just world for all, we have found ourselves embedded in turmoil over how this better world can become reality.
In recent weeks, armed militias which have identified themselves with groups including American Wolf, Proud Boys, and Three-Percenters have appointed themselves as a paramilitary force to control Black Lives Matter protests. Rather than keeping us safe, these groups are bringing a large armory of guns (some of them carrying at least four per person) and other weapons into our downtown core as well as the commercial west side. These groups belong to the conservative far-right/“alt-right” and are not aligned with our town’s commitment to diversity and equality. They are using their guns and military aesthetics to intimidate Olympia into silence.
The more we find out about these militias, the more we realize that they are crafting a narrative that allows them to exploit the Black Lives Matter movement to meet their own goals of harnessing power. We in Olympia are proud to be a community of creative, critical thinkers who won’t be fooled by this right-wing trap. We know that peace and justice cannot be achieved by parading guns and threatening those who are brave enough to speak out against systemic racism.
We as a community are signing this letter in support of transformative justice and a peaceful world. We do not want armed militias patrolling our streets. We are strong enough without them. We are honored to rise to the challenge of healing the wounds of the world together.
With hearts wide open,
The Wayside Cafe
Orca Books
The Crypt
New Moon Cooperative Cafe
Dumpster Values Collective
115 Legion
Sound Audio Repair
Airbound Arts
Lengua Rica
Helsing Junction Farm
Gallery Boom
Desuetude
Pizza Klatch
Ravengrass
Leafbloom Organics
Pressing On Fitness
Last Word Books
Deschutes River Cyclery
Quality Burrito
OlyKraut
Pearl & Ink
Three Magnets Brewing
Octapas Cafe
Danger Room Comics
Rogue Teas
Olympia Gear Exchange
Stellar Juices
Tōdai Yoga
Swing Wine Bar
The Lucky Lunchbox
Ossa Skinworks
The Brotherhood Lounge
Rainy Day Records
Eastside Big Tom
Interfaith Works
Rhythm and Rye
Noping The Shop
Stonewall Youth
Radiance Herbs & Massage
The Vintage Peacock
Magic Kombucha
Phloxus Farms
Body Olympia
Burial Grounds Coffee Collective
New Traditions Fair Trade
Business Services Cooperative
Our Table
Chicory
The Painted Plate
Chinese Movement and Healing Arts
Capitol Florist
Blue Heron Bakery
Lark
Ho-Ho-Hobos
W7BSD
King Solomon’s Reef
KXXO Mixx96.1
POWER
Rainbow Health Center
Partners in Prevention Education (PiPE)
Build A Bus Home
Psychic Sister
San Francisco Street Bakery
Schwartz’s
SafePlace
Old School Pizzeria
The Staff Collective of the Olympia Food Coop
Community Sustaining Fund
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