Letter to the editor: A note about the anti-racism demonstrations at Westgate

Posted: December 2, 2020 2099

Editor:

A note to the community from participants in the peaceful anti-racism demonstration at the Westgate corner in Edmonds.

We want you to know that we are a local community response to the movement for Black Lives. We are not all part of any single organization or faith community. Some of us found out about this peaceful demonstration through the events created by the Edmonds Neighborhood Action Coalition on Facebook, some have asked as they pass by and joined in, and others found out through friends or their faith community. Everyone who is anti-racist is welcome to join in peacefully as we continue our efforts to support the dismantling of racism and the movement for Black Lives.

This daily demonstration began more than six months ago, immediately after the murder of George Floyd. Every day since that time, (for approximately 180 days) there have been at least two, more often between six and 20, people demonstrating on the corner at Westgate. You’ve probably seen us. Many people in the community participate by joining in the demonstration and carrying a sign on the corner, or by encouraging the demonstrators with waves and honks as they drive by.

We are grateful to be part of a community making a dedicated effort to end racism and create a just society — one that holds the enduring values of Justice, Equity and Compassion.

We hope that you will join in any time, as we continue these peaceful demonstrations each and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 1 p.m.

With kind regards,

Rachel Maxwell
Edmonds
On behalf of the regular participants in the Westgate anti-racism demonstration

 

  2. I’m a bit of a grammar snob. Just wanted to point out that your sentence: “Everyone who is anti-racist is welcome to join in peacefully as we continue our efforts to support the dismantling of racism and the movement for Black Lives” can be read in a couple of different ways. So just to be clear, you are not advocating for dismantling the Black Lives Matter movement, are you?

  3. George Floyd had three times what was a lethal dose of fentanyl in his toxicology. The 3rd degree murder charge was dropped leaving the much more difficult 1st and 2nd degree charges. Derek Chauvin, for example, is out on bond and will likely be acquitted based on the evidence. BLM? Miniapolis has defunded their police and now murders and carjackings are at an astronomic record high.

    Anyone who’s anti-racist, please join me in my protest by working your job, feeding your kids, and paying your taxes.

      1. I encourage everyone to read this politifact.

        [Examiner] Baker:
        “fatal level of fentanyl under normal circumstances […] if he were found dead at home alone and no other apparent causes, this could be acceptable to call an OD.”

        Baker also said: “I am not saying this killed him.” << He saying this because it's not his job to say this.

        The report they cite says as a disclaimer, "Manner of death is not a legal determination of culpability or intent, and should not be used to usurp the judicial process. "

        Autopsy don't "rule" cause of death as homicide. Homicide is a type of death, not a cause of death. Someone with water in their lungs could have drown (not a homicide) or been drown (like murdered). Examiners and police don't "rule" that a death was a homocide. Trials rule. There has been no trial. Besides, overdose is a classificaiton of homocide (Drug Induced Homocide).
        http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/determining-cause-of-death.html

        George Floyd said "I can't breath" before he threw himself on the ground. He said I can't breath while standing, while in the back of a police car by himself. The officers asked him, "George, why are you foaming at the mouth." He replied "I was hooping earlier." Toxicology showed he had 3-times what has been overserved as a lethal dose. See Tony Timpa, nearly the same exact circumstances and cause of death.

      2. Mr. Richardson,

        Firstly, as per the article cited by MyEdmondsNews, the medical examiner’s office ruled that the manner of George Floyd’s death was homicide. The Hennepin County medical examiner did indicate that Floyd bloodwork showed a “fatal level of fentanyl,” according to court documents, but he didn’t say this killed him. A blog post sharing the misinformation you are similarly peddling was flagged as part of Facebook’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed.

        Secondly, if you had educated yourself and obtained a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry like I have, then you would know that assessing post-mortem drug distribution is tricky business and leads to erroneous findings. Post-mortem diffusion of drugs from sites of high concentration in solid organs into the blood leads to artefactual elevated and variable drug concentrations in blood. Here is a link to an abstract addressing this issue that summarizes results of the research paper from 1990, “Post-mortem drug redistribution–a toxicological nightmare”… https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2361648/.

        Finally, it is tiresome and mind boggling to me that folks are so susceptible to information taken out of context, lies, and conspiracy theories distributed on social media by unknown and unverifiable sources; especially when that information contradicts and defies what is so evident by our own eyes.

        1. Rich, see my pending comment. Somehow politifact is able to draw factual conclusions from the toxicology (their conclusion being he didn’t die from an OD). Send your link to them, and tell them how educated your are. 🙂

  4. As a Pakistani who has seen racism impact me, and my immediate family, (Including racism from police officers) I am not sure I get these protests. I am not opposed to them, but I don’t understand what they are accomplishing. They kind of seem like those “in this house” signs: Telling everyone passing by what a good person you are without influencing policy. I am curious as to what the specific goals of this particular protest are.

    2. Let’s see. Where to begin? Non violent peaceful protest was instrumental in bringing an end to British Empire Colonial rule of India. Non violent peaceful protest brought about the Civil Rights act in America which finally gave thousands of Black individuals the right and ability to vote as granted by our Constitution. Locally, non violent peaceful protest stopped the building of a very questionable structure near a Marine Sanctuary.

      Mr. Iqbal, the right and practice of non violent (i.e. any form of attacks on people or their property) peaceful protest goes to the very core of who and what we are as Americans. I’m sincerely sorry you and your family have experienced racism and prejudice. Swing by my place on 8th. Ave. and Bell Street and I’ll be happy to give you my “Justice” sign; which you too could use as a notice of protest against your past treatment. Non violent (emphasis on this aspect) peaceful protest actually works.

      1. I disagree with Kashf too. The protests worked. The police were pulled out of Minneapolis and they are not better for it.

  5. Matt:
    Rich stated his education because it’s relevant to his response. I suspect that your reference to it is sarcasm.

    1. Ron, I dont have facebook. Rich was obviously being condescending, pleading from authority instead, and assuming my argument. George Floyd threw himself on the ground. He even begged the officers to just hold him on the ground instead of putting him in the car. Prior to being on the ground he repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. None of the original medical examiners knew this information. What Rich is asking us to believe is that George Floyd was lying about not being able to breath in the police car, but telling the truth while on the ground. He also didn’t have bruising or any significant abrasions from being knelt on. Derek Chauvin followed his training and it’s very easy to meter the amount of pressure he applied, but that doesn’t translate to camera. I’ve studied some MMA. I’ve been arrested and knelt on exactly like this.

    2. Kashf Iqbal, thank you for your perspective. We definitely need more diverse thoughts to consider. The “good person without influencing policy” resonated. And Rich Senderoff, thank you for your very enjoyable and knowledgeable reply to Matt Richardson. “Tiresome and mind boggling” are definitely accurate feelings many of us feel. Your taking the time to put educated thoughts to action is so important in many ways. High time someone of your stature senderoff’d Matt.

      1. Char, in light of my last two pending comments I think Rich would admit he is wrong. Rich apparently did not know that George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe several times prior to being restrained. It’s important to have all the information before jumping to conclusions.

      2. “Tiresome and mind boggling” are definitely accurate feelings many of us feel.” And those feelings are the main reason I rarely post these days. The inevitable, seemingly endless gnawing away at the same bone, even commenting on one’s own comments, with most posts beginning with the first person singular, or a patronizing comment about the person being responded to – make for very boring reading.

  6. Every time I drive by your signs, I say what are you doing to improve the situation? Carrying signs might make YOU feel better but does nothing to actually do it. Black Lives Matter is a group that devalues the nuclear family and a big problem in our society. Are you saying black babies lives matter too? Does your heart break for the 1,000 that are aborted every day? Instead of carrying a slogan, do something to make anyone’s life better. Actions speak louder than slogans on a sign. But if you just think you are in the “woke” group, carry on. ALL LIVES MATTER and it creates more racism to single out one group.

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