EDITORIAL: Grandstanding does nothing for constituents
Battle Ground Mayor Eric Overholser is engaging in political theater, delivering a populist soliloquy that draws attention but does little to address the issues facing his constituents. He should knock it off.
By proclaiming the city's official support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and its opposition to antifa, Overholser has tapped into the veins of political discord that run through our nation. In the process, the citizens of Battle Ground have gained nothing other than a point of contention.
"We are standing for the rule of law and civil obedience," Overholser said following a city council meeting. "Protesting is welcome, as the proclamations state, but we are against political violence and fear-driven ideologies."
It was not long before the alleged need for such proclamations was demonstrated. The Columbian reported from a lengthy city council meeting: "As Overholser began reading the ICE proclamation, a black-clad, flag-holding attendee stood, shouted profanity and flashed an offensive gesture at the councilors. The person was escorted out of the meeting by Battle Ground police officers."
Or perhaps the fact that the incident was promptly handled demonstrates the lack of a need for such proclamations, reducing Overholser's action to little more than grandstanding. The proclamations, after all, have no more impact than if the Battle Ground City Council were to denounce the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the pardoning of the criminals involved - a far larger threat to law and order than anything that is happening in Battle Ground.
With or without statements that profess to speak for all Battle Ground residents, ICE will continue to carry out enforcement throughout Southwest Washington and the rest of the nation. The issues, which are ignored in the city council's statement, arise when agents do not lawfully carry out such enforcement.
Nationally, verified reports detail the deportation of U.S. citizens; violence against peaceful protesters, including the use of deadly force; and a lack of accountability for agents who violate the law. Ignoring that while expressing unfettered support for enforcement undermines law and order and to disregards the concerns of many Battle Ground residents.
Meanwhile, a proclamation agreeing with President Donald Trump's designation of antifa as a "domestic terror organization" is even more meaningless - yet more problematic. As during the Red Scare of the 1950s, Trump has turned a decentralized "anti-fascist" movement into an all-purpose bogeyman.
A few generations ago, nearly all Americans could agree that being anti-fascist was a badge of honor in defense of our nation's values. Now, suggesting that anti-fascist protests are inherently violent creates a cavern of fear-driven ideology into which Overholser has willfully fallen, taking the integrity of most of his city council with him. If violence occurs, there are laws to deal with the situation - with or without foolish posturing by the mayor.
Prior to Overholser's proclamations, City Councilor Jeanie Kuypers proposed striking them from the agenda for Monday's meeting or any future meetings. The motion failed in a 5-2 vote.
"It's evident that proclamations can create division rather than unity, distraction and unnecessary financial and public relation impacts," she said. "While the intentions may be good, I think that we need to reduce the temperature around some of the proclamations being presented today."
Such drawbacks, apparently, are a small price to pay when there are political points to be scored.
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