Peace March Planned on Monday

The community is invited to join a peace march organized by Not In Our Kittitas County on Monday.

The Not In Our Kittitas County campaign is aimed at stopping hate and building a safe and inclusive environment. It comes in response to activity by the Ku Klux Klan in Ellensburg earlier this fall.

The march will start at 4 p.m. Monday at the SURC pit on campus and will travel into town and back. Marchers will stay on sidewalks and there will be a police presence. People are encouraged to bring flashlights and dress warmly. Signs, buttons and bracelets will be available.

“The goal is show solidarity against hate,” said Marte Fallshore, one of the campaign organizers. “People of color are getting harassed pretty regularly, and we want to create a safe, respectful environment for everyone.”

Meanwhile, the Ellensburg City Council approved a proclamation Monday in support of the Not In Our Kittitas County movement. The resolution said the city opposes “bullying, harassment, hatred and prejudice toward any group or individual.”

“We resolve to actively work to make the city of Ellensburg a safe place, free of discrimination and hatred of any kind,” it said. “We also resolve to promote a climate of safety, inclusion and acceptance in our community.”

Proclamations have been sent to other governments in the county for approval. A similar resolution was approved by the CWU Faculty Senate last week.

Upcoming discussion

A panel discussion is planned at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 29, at the SURC ballroom on campus. Dr. Richard King of Washington State University, who has studied hate groups and crimes, will speak, along with a representative from the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Organizers are looking for four or five people to share their stories of how they have been affected by hate speech or actions, Fallshore said. Email marte@cwu.edu to participate.

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