By Lois Krafsky-Perry and Staff 

Sequim, WA – April 23, 2021 – The Olympic Peninsula Progressives, an apparent arm of Indivisible Sequim, (as shown on the map on the indivisible.org website) posted on their Facebook page an invitation for a  “Sequim Solidarity and Mutual Aid Fair” to “Defund the Police, Invest in Communities” event from noon – 3 p.m., Saturday, April 17, 2021.  The group along with possible others (the announcement was posted on at least one other “progressive” page, Port Angeles Racial Justice Collective),  met at the Sequim Library at noon and set up their event at the Civic Center at 152 W Cedar Street (the plaza in front of Sequim city hall) with water and food.

When asked about the event by several citizens, City Councilwoman Sarah Kincaid said she had not been advised in advance by Cherisse Duschesnes, Sequim’s interim city manager, that it would be taking place. When Kincaid questioned her, Duschesnes said she had been out of town from Friday through Sunday, but stated there had been two groups – one group dressed in black with a banner and handing out literature from Antifa. According to Kincaid, Duschesnes said the group did not promote violence.  One or both of the groups wrote chalked graffiti comments on the pavement. Kincaid reported that after having received and read the pamphlets handed out at the event, “Having read the pamphlets, I find it hard to believe this is not threatening,” especially in light of the fact that there are many senior citizens living in Sequim.

Stay tuned.

 

When the graffiti was being discussed, according to Kincaid, Duschesnes said that the group with the Antifa information added to the graffiti after the first group cleared out. She said the group left the black banner at the center upon their departure. Duschesnes apparently heard from various staff about the event and understood there was a small group of under 20 people who were discussing defunding the police and feeding the homeless, saying that it was okay if small groups meet on the city property.

Duschesnes told Kincaid that the groups were peaceful and there was no violent message. 

A special permit was not required for a small group and she cited the 5th Amendment Article 1, Section 4, on their behalf.  

“We (council) should have known about it. Citizens informed me –  that is not good,” said  Kincaid. 

She said when alerted on Saturday, she notified Mayor William Armacost. He drove by the city center and noted about 25 people there.

She then notified Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain, who said she did not know about the event, and would look into it.  As of Tuesday morning, Kincaid had not been contacted by the police chief.

Side note: although the subject of the rally was to defund law enforcement, apparently law enforcement was not notified by anyone. 

According to Duschesnes, a public works officer removed the graffiti, the following day, which was Sunday.