Russian radical-right sends its children to cheerlead bigotry

[ccharles000]

Saturday "our friends in the Russian/Slavic community" led an anti-domestic partnership "reject R-71/SB 5688 Side Walk Rally" in Lynnwood, just north of Seattle. A crowd of about 150-200 showed up. Like the anti-equality lobby day in Olympia this past March, this crowd was heavily populated by high school-age kids and young adults. Most of the younger folk I spoke with said they were not old enough to vote.

I was told that this event represented the combined efforts of 5 Russian/Slavic churches. Only a few among the participants seemed not to be part of that community, and those people didn't seem to have much if any interaction with the others.

There was a certain amount of car horn hooting, but it was hard to tell how much of it was genuine since demonstrators were themselves driving back and forth laying on the horn.

The young ladies' cheering and sign waving was identical to that of the nubile barkers always set out on the curb to lure drivers into high school fundraiser car washes. One of these gals said she was perturbed that drivers weren't honking horns more. One demonstrator standing at an intersection, apparently thinking I was part of the demo, said with reference to cars going by, "they sure like giving us the finger, don't they?". It didn't seem to dawn on these young folk that they would or should experience any reaction other than positive to their message of bigotry. After speaking with several, it was clear that many didn't truly understand what Referendum 71 is about. I don't blame them for wanting to have a fun day cheerleading, because they don't control their own lives. No, it's the parents of these children who I take issue with.

I hope that those in the Russian/Slavic community who stand for fairness and equality for all will not let this "reject" group be the sole public face of their community.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/13454/russian-radicalright-sends-its-children-to-cheerlead-bigotry

[sakabatou]

1. Yay, it's the Russian version of Fred Phelps

:puke:

[bluestateguy]

2. They ought to go back where they came from

They have no right to come here and instruct us as to what kind of laws we should have.

[LisaL]

3. WTF are you talking about?

Legal immigrants have all the right to be here. And since those are kids, lots of them are likely to be US citizens if they were born in the US.

[EFerrari]

4. There have been Russians on the Northwest coast since before

there was a "here" called the United States.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Seems this group spreads its "love" in many countries where they land.

[murielm99]

6. The Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking a group

called Watchmen on the Walls. They are a group tied to Latvia, and they have gained a foothold on the West Coast. They are all tangled up with these Russian/Slavic churches. And, they are, according to SPLC, a particularly virulent anti-gay group.

Go to splcenter.org to learn more about them.

They have been involved in at least one serious hate crime. They think it is great to beat and kill gay people. Law enforcement in Lynnwood, Seattle and the surrounding areas needs to keep a close eye on them, or they will kill many people.

I hope the people who live there will educate themselves about the Watchmen on the Walls. They are the ones who need watching. The Seattle area GLBT people may need to call on the resources of the SPLC for help. Don't underestimate their ability to get things done.

[ccharles000]

7. kick