‘We’re making sure the city sees us,’ organizer says of Friday’s protest against racism
A protest against racial injustice and inequality experienced by people of color is scheduled for Friday afternoon near the Bellingham Costco, according to Kristina Michele, one of the organizers.
The protest is in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County chapter, which put a call out on June 9 for a statewide day of action on June 12 that includes a general strike and silent march in support of all black lives in Washington state, Michele, who is black, said in an interview with The Bellingham Herald.
She said they are “protesting political injustice, systematic racism and silence from our elected officials.”
“We’ll take to the streets as many times as possible as large as we can get it to make sure they know we have things we want to say — not just the City Council but the government. And we’re going to keep chanting, shouting, marching and raising signs, because you work for us,” Michele said.
The protest in Bellingham will take place from roughly 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and protesters are asked to line the sidewalks stretching from the intersection of West Bakerview Road and Arctic Avenue. Protest attendees are asked to make signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and other people of color, and properly social distance, Michele said.
Michele said the location was chosen because it’s one of the busiest intersections in the city with lots of traffic, and because the Costco and Fred Meyer nearby became shopping hubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We know there are more of us than them, so let’s just literally stand together,” Michele said. “It’s not about impeding traffic — we’re making sure the city sees us.”
Being heard
Michele said she wasn’t sure how many people will attend the protest, but said she hopes that protesters stretch along the sidewalks or public right of ways going all the way to Hannegan Road, which is nearly 3½ miles. By standing on the sidewalks, social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus can be maintained and people can still get by if needed, Michele said.
“We’re all Bellingham community members. So let’s use the sidewalks and be on them and exercise our Constitutional rights to peaceful protest,” she said. “As a black person born and raised in America, just being seen has been so overwhelming in such a good way. … I never thought I would see anything like this.”
Michele was one of the speakers at the Peaceful Solidarity Rally June 6 that brought more than 5,000 people to Maritime Heritage Park.
Michele said she didn’t want people to miss the message and get sidetracked about what the protest is or what a rally is doing, but said the focus should be on getting people into the streets and unified in believing that all black lives matter.
“If we can show the rest of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Washington, the world and every small form, media and large form protest, everyone has eyes on it. It’s just to get together and say ‘I’m with you,’ even just to show the community,” Michele said. “Standing on the side of Bakerview does not seem like a dream Friday afternoon for me either, but it’s where we can go, where there will be a lot of us, and we can socially distance us as well and still be part of a larger thing.”
Michele said she encouraged people to use common sense when attending the protest and that if it seems busy when driving by, people are encouraged to park somewhere safe and join where the line ends.
While the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County chapter is promoting a silent march, Michele said it’s an option to have this protest be silent, but that it doesn’t have to be and will depend on what people are feeling and want to do in the moment. She said if the protest stays silent, signs will be important and impactful. She said the protest is not a march.
“It’s honestly just about coming together and being seen together in mass. … We’re not going to be playing games or hula hooping. It’s so simple. We’ll literally stand together,” Michele said.
Racism in Bellingham
Michele, who moved to Bellingham three and a half years ago, said that racism is alive and active in Bellingham and Whatcom County. She said after the rally Saturday was the first time she’s had white strangers wave to her in the street, or hold doors open for her, since she moved here.
“It’s where black people live all the time. We’re used to being ignored,” she said. “It’s a protective layer for ourselves. We’re not bringing attention to ourselves because anything can happen. If I’m smiling too big, or my eyes are too wide, or I’m being too loud, that person can call or if they’re carrying, they can decide to take action and no one is going to be on our side.”
Before the Solidarity Rally, hate literature and leaflets promoting racist views were found on Western Washington University’s campus and in the Lettered Streets neighborhood in Bellingham.
She said it’s the people who are on the fence who she’s hoping to reach with the protest. Michele said the movement against systemic racism that is moving across the country after a black man died as a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes is only getting started and people of color will need more allies.
She said the more community members and allies that begin to meet each other and interact, the further the fight against racial injustice will go.
“If you’re not with us, you are with them. We know we need as much help as we can get. Taking a neutral stance just isn’t going to cut it. A neutral stance is what got us here,” she said. “We’re just asking you to open your eyes and take a look at everything we have to offer and come to a conclusion.”
Several businesses across Bellingham and Fairhaven announced this week that they will be closed Friday in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County chapter’s statewide call to action and strike.
Michele said the efforts, especially since some of the businesses have been closed throughout the pandemic, are commendable.
“They could have been open and made more money than they have before, but that’s not what this moment is about right now. So I actually appreciate it,” she said.
