By Tracy Simmons
In response to racist hate mail sent to Rachel Dolezal, the newly installed president of the Spokane NAACP, about 150 people rallied outside her office Friday afternoon, linked arms and said no to bigotry in Spokane.
The event, called Arms of Compassion, was co-organized by the Rev. Todd Eklof, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spokane.
“Hate expression in our community will not stand,” he said. “So Arms of Compassion is our opportunity as a community to come together and surround those impacted by this hate.”
He said the threat to Dolezal needs to recognized and remembered so that it won’t happen again.
Attendees formed a protective half circle around the front of the Community Building, where the NAACP office is housed, and together sang songs about standing together.
The Rev. Paul Rodkey of Bethany Presbyterian Church, said the 20 pages of hate mail that Dolezal received can’t go unchallenged, which is why he came to the rally.
“As a community we have to learn to live together in the sandbox,” he said, adding that hate towards any group is not OK. “We have to stop saying one position is the only valid position.”
Spokane resident Carol LandaMcvicker said residents coming together through Arms of Compassion is a way to remind Spokanites that there is still a lot of work to do.
“We like to think that Spokane is a welcoming community, but things like this happen and it makes us realize there is still a lot of hate,” she said.
She said when friends come to visit her from out of town, they are sometimes fearful because the area has a reputation of being racist. She said the hate that exists is the minority and does not represent all of Spokane, which is why the community needs to rally and come together.
Dolezal spoke briefly at the event and said her family and the NAACP will pass through this, and will be stronger.
This is hilarious!