We are guessing the Republicans hoped folks didn’t notice they hosted someone they already denounced publicly, but here we are. Local organizations announced a rally for Thursday to deal with this.

PRESS RELEASE

Spokane, Wash. – An online video (archived here) shows key Republican leaders in Spokane County hosting hate group organizer James Allsup at a July event. Allsup is a prominent member of the white nationalist group Identity Evropa and participated in the deadly August 2017 Charlottesville, VA hate rally.

In June, Spokane County Republican Chairwoman Cecily Wright denied any affiliation with Allsup and stated that his “past statements, affiliations and actions are deeply out-of-step with the values of the Republican Party, as well as the values of the Spokane County GOP and our members.” However, the July 11th video shows Wright hosting – and praising – Allsup at a Northwest Grassroots gathering of conservative activists. City of Spokane Valley Mayor Rod Higgins and Spokane County Treasurer Rob Chase also participated in the event, as documented in this longer video (archived here).

“We cannot take for granted the integrity of our public officials when they denounce white nationalism in the press, while privately endorsing their leaders and values. We can’t reasonably assume public officials will uphold our rights when they applaud those who would harm us,” said Pastor Walter Kendricks, spokesman and co-founder of Spokane Community Against Racism.

“Our Spokane region has a strong track record of standing up against white nationalism. Together, we’ve defeated the Aryan Nations; we’ve defeated anti-immigrant, anti-gay, and anti-trans policies; and we’re committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with targeted communities to defeat this harmful ideology any time it tries to gain a foothold.” said Liz Moore, director of the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane.

Local organizations are holding a rally to unite the Spokane community against white nationalism on Thursday at 5:30 pm in front of the Spokane County Courthouse. The rally will call on the Republican Party in Spokane County and Washington State to reject white nationalism and ensure that its supporters do not hold positions within the party.

Organizations uniting to respond include the Spokane Community Against Racism, Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane, the City of Spokane Human Rights Commission, Faith Leaders and Leaders of Conscience, Spokane NOW, Families Against Bigotry, Fuse Washington, Western States Center, and others.