Council Members Zappone and Oelrich Champion Resolution Against Hate Crimes

Lisa Gardner, City Council Communications Director, 509.625.6226

Monday, October 16, 2023 at 8:05 a.m.

City Council Members Zack Zappone and Ryan Oelrich will move to suspend the rules during Monday’s Council Briefing Session to introduce a resolution that reaffirms Spokane’s commitment to inclusion and belonging in the wake of anti-LGBTQIA+ vandalism.

“When I first came to Spokane at 18, Odyssey was the first LGBTQIA+ organization I found for support and resources,” said Council Member Ryan Oelrich.  “It’s unacceptable that anyone continues to break the law and cause them harm and expense, and no one should feel unsafe in Spokane.” 

Council Member Zack Zappone added, “Everyone should feel like they belong in Spokane. To be clear, vandalism targeting the LGBTQ community looks like a hate crime. Hate crimes are felonies. We need to hear from the Administration what they are doing to stop this immediately. Additionally, we as a community shall be vigilant in patrolling our neighborhoods and ensuring we’re all safe. We must show that in Spokane, we all belong.”

The proposed resolution calls on the City Council to:

  1. Affirm that Spokane will continue to be an inclusive, respectful, and just city that is proud of its mosaic of people of diverse cultures, faiths, beliefs, and identities and celebrates individuality and commonality.
  2. Affirm the fundamental rights of all people to live in a safe environment free from discrimination, intimidation, threats, or fear.
  3. Investigate all credible reports of hate crime incidents and threats against minority groups or individuals and hold perpetrators of those crimes, happenings, and threats accountable.
  4. Call upon all residents to speak out against hate, bullying, discrimination, and violence.
  5. Add to the City of Spokane legislative agenda a change to RCW 9A.36.080, governing hate crimes, to clarify that the law applies to public property and places.

This resolution follows recent vandalism to both Pride Crosswalks, one in the Perry District of Spokane’s East Central Neighborhood and the other Downtown on Howard and Spokane Falls Boulevard in front of Riverfront Park. Anti-LGBTQIA+ vandalism also occurred at the Odyssey Youth Movement Center, a center dedicated as a haven for members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as Wishing Tree books and other residential houses in the surrounding neighborhood.

Following the request to suspend the rules, the Council will vote on the resolution during the Legislative Session at 6:00 p.m. Council meetings are open to the public and can be viewed via live stream on Spokane’s CityCable5 https://my.spokanecity.org/citycable5/live/  or via Spokane City Council’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/spokanecitycouncil

About the Spokane City Council
The City Council is the legislative body of the City of Spokane, which is home to more than 220,000 people and is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. The City’s 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit SpokaneCity.org/CityCouncil/ and follow us @SpokaneCityCouncil on Facebook.