An NPR member station
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

NAACP Campaign Unites People Against Racism

Race Unity
Spokane NAACP
/
https://www.facebook.com/spokane.naacp

More than 100 Spokane residents rallied outside Monday's city council meeting, in unity against racism. The city’s Human Rights Commission has linked up with the Spokane NAACP on a campaign to combat racism. They will ask businesses to display signs in their window saying they welcome everyone.

Human Rights Commission chair Blaine Stum says he thinks even small displays of support will help people understand the need for an inclusive community. The campaign was sparked by race-based threats in the past month, and the assault on a trans-gender citizen in February.

Stum: “Lately it just seems like we have seen a lot more of it come to light, and for a lot of people they are very frightened by these attacks, and these racist mailings and things like that, because they are threats.”

Two weeks ago Rachel Dolezal, president of Spokane NAACP, received a racist package that included death threats. Last month, people of color in Millwood (near Spokane Valley) received mail on their doorsteps saying the KKK is watching.

The police department is still investigating the threats against Dolezal and has not announced a suspect.

Video of City Council Salutation: On Facebook

Copyright 2015 Spokane Public Radio

Related Content