Rose City Antifa and allies are calling for antifascists in the Pacific Northwest to turn out this coming Sunday December 6th to Cal Anderson Park in Seattle, WA to show the Northwestern Hammerskins that we stand united against fascism and racism.
The Northwestern Hammerskins have threatened to march on Capitol Hill in Seattle, and antifascist must turn out to defend the streets. The fascist march is planned as part of the annual Martyrs Day celebrations that the Northwestern Hammerskins are hosting in remembrance of Robert Jay Mathews of the white supremacist terror cell, the Order, who died during a shootout with law enforcement at Whidbey Island on December 8th 1984. In the past this event has been a smaller affair held on private property. This year the NWHS have boasted a larger planned attendance and have announced a more public appearance, which represents a dangerous escalation of tactics. We must not allow them to be further emboldened. Particularly in light of the recent upswell of fascist violence regionally and across the nation, we must vigorously oppose any effort by fascists to claim space and spread fear.
We will gather in the north end of Cal Anderson Park, Seattle at 5pm on Sunday December 6th. Please bring flags and banners so that it is clear that we are antifascists opposing the neo-Nazis. While covering your face is not mandatory it is a good precaution to take to prevent the police or neo-Nazis from taking your picture.
People are encouraged to use the Twitter hashtag #defendseattle to post updates and make it easier for everyone to keep track of what is happening at and around the rally. Rose City Antifa will be posting updates throughout the weekend of the 5th & 6th on any information related to NWHS Martyrs Day activities.
If your organization would like to sign on to this effort, if you have questions, or if you have information related to white supremacist organizing in our region, please e-mail us at fight_them_back@riseup.net or leave us a voicemail on 971-533-7832.
Organizations that have signed on:
Rose City Antifa
Spokane Anti-Racist Action
Marilyn Buck Abolitionist Collective
Seattle Solidarity Network
Oly Antifa
Emerald City Antifa
Fascist Alert! Posters Available
Seattle, Wa: Counter-Nazi Demonstration December 6th, Capitol Hill
From rosecityantifa.org: “On November 18, a member of the Stormfront white supremacist web forum posted an invitation for sympathizers to join the annual Robert Jay Mathews memorial, also known as the Martyrs Day commemoration. The Stormfront post asked for white supremacists to “Join us Sunday, Dec. 6th in Ballard, WA” and promised “five white power bands […,] a traditional cross burning […and…] marching through Capitol Hill in Seattle.” The attached event flyer mentions two of the promised white power bands, both of which are affiliated with the neo-Nazi Hammerskin Nation.”
The post goes on to say that they expect 300 supporters to show up to this event. Whatever there is to be said about how realistic it is for that many Nazis to show up, it is incredibly important that anti-fascists of all kinds show up and prevent these Nazis from having any kind of presence in Capitol Hill.
Information about the event that is being organized by Nazis is incredibly limited, so it is being asked that people who plan on attending this counter-demonstration be prepared to move on very little notice.
For more information on the Nazis organizing this event and active in the Puget Sound area:
http://rosecityantifas.weebly.com/articles/alert-northwestern-hammerskin…
http://rosecityantifas.weebly.com/articles/meet-washingtons-neo-nazis-ol…
ALERT: Northwestern Hammerskins Annual Martyr’s Day Celebration 2015, Washington State Weekend of December 5th and 6th
from Rose City Antifa
On November 18, a member of the Stormfront white supremacist web forum posted an invitation for sympathizers to join the annual Robert Jay Mathews memorial, also known as the Martyrs Day commemoration. The Stormfront post asked for white supremacists to “Join us Sunday, Dec. 6th in Ballard, WA” and promised “five white power bands […,] a traditional cross burning […and…] marching through Capitol Hill in Seattle.” The attached event flyer mentions two of the promised white power bands, both of which are affiliated with the neo-Nazi Hammerskin Nation.
The Northwestern Hammerskins (NWHS) typically celebrate “Martyrs Day” on the first weekend of December. This event memorializes Robert Jay Mathews, a leader of the white supremacist terror group The Order/Brüder Schweigen who died in a siege and firefight with federal authorities at Whidbey Island, Washington on December 8, 1984. Neo-Nazis often travel to Whidbey Island to pay tribute to Mathews–a photo from last year shows over thirty Hammerskins and allies posing on the Island. This year, the Hammerskins want to show themselves in a less remote location, promising events near Ballard and Seattle instead of or as well as just going to Whidbey Island. This is a major escalation by the Hammerskins.