Ginny Ramos, Legislative Assistant, vramos@spokanecity.org
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at 1:08 p.m.
Recently, former Washington State representative and controversial religious figure Matt Shea attended the “Kingdom to the Capitol” tour, a known religious and political concert series, with local campaign candidates in attendance and on stage.
I and other area elected officials have a responsibility to the city and its residents to be sound and just stewards of Spokane. We have taken an oath and civic responsibility to uphold the democracy of our city, state, and country, and anyone opposing those ideals threatens our fundamental duties of civic leadership.
I have heard testimony and received calls and emails regarding the public display of these extremists. I stand firm against activists who preach violent rhetoric disguised as religion. Anyone who stands shoulder to shoulder with these extremists communicates tolerance and acceptance of this dangerously divisive speech.
Radical movements, such as the Matt Shea-supported event, are a blatant example of using public events for disguised bigotry. I will not look the other way or remain benign to active hatred in our community. While people in our community may lean in one direction or another politically, most of us can agree that exclusionary groups that openly attack the rights of women, LGBTQI+, and religions other than Christianity are unacceptable. I condemn this behavior and these groups in the name of protecting our community and our constituents.
