Declaration Against Threats of Violence and Hate Speech in Whatcom County

Whereas, the revised Code of the State of Washington defines a hate crime as a criminal offense against a person or property motivated by an offender’s bias against a group or persons due to their “race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap” (RCW 9A.36.080);

Whereas, an increasing number of individuals are being targeted by harassment and hate crimes locally, as well as nationally;

Whereas, immigrants are under increasing threat of deportation, including being taken from their work places and communities, separated from their families;

Whereas, white nationalist posters have been placed in Ferndale and confederate flags have been seen in various places throughout the county, causing individuals experiencing these actions to live in fear of leaving their homes;

Whereas, there is an escalation of white supremacist activity nationally;

Whereas, every member of the human race has the right to be treated with dignity and to live without fear of violence, intimidation, or discrimination based on group identification or personal characteristics,

The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force calls upon our neighbors, educational institutions, businesses, religious leaders, government officials, and local law enforcement to develop strategies and actions to stop the rise of threats of violence and symbols of hate speech in our community, and to take further steps to ensure that Whatcom County is a place where citizens experience inclusion, acceptance and love.

We invite members of all communities in Whatcom County to sign on to this declaration.