On Saturday, March 5, white supremacist groups are planning a rally at the Washington State Capitol. The rally, organized by March for Our Rights and dubbed “Government Resistance Impedes Tyranny” or GRIT, is focused on protesting the state’s COVID-19 response. The rally’s sponsors include the Washington Three Percent, Turning Point USA and The Family Policy Institute of Washington. In addition, the Oregon-based group Timber Unity, which has used truck convoys as an intimidation tactic in Salem, OR, has announced that they too will join the rally. These groups have a documented history of violent and threatening rhetoric, intentionally combining bigotry, disinformation, and conspiracy theories with tactics that include threats, intimidation and paramilitary presence.

Concerned Clergy of Olympia, rooted in our faith traditions and teachings, proclaim the inherent worth, dignity and safety of all persons. We call on public officials and citizens to join us in speaking out with one voice against bigotry and racism. We affirm that ideologies of white supremacy, hate, and oppression of those most marginalized are not welcome in our community.