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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Lynwood Convention Center: “Watchmen is a Pro-Israel Group!”

posted by on October 11 at 14:50 PM

After reading David Schmader’s post, I sent an email to the Lynwood Convention Center with the subject “Would you invite the KKK to the Lynwood Convention Center?”

I just received this email from the general manager.

Dear Steven: Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts regarding the upcoming Watchman on the Walls conference coming to the Lynnwood Convention Center. While we appreciate your concerns regarding outside activities relating to this group, we are not in a position to deny their right to assemble in a public facility.

The Watchmen on the Walls have met recently in several locations in the Greater Puget Sound to include the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue and the Seattle Sheraton. In both instances, they drew no public attention in the form of protests or violence. In fact, you are the first person to inquire about this group.

https://www.myaglow.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?&pid=360&srcid=360

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts and concerns. Please do not hesitate to call me directly if you have additional questions.

Warmest regards,

Eddie T.L. Tadlock

General Manager

Lynnwood Convention Center (SMG)

Which “Watchmen” group did you invite, Eddie? Are you sure you picked the right one? Absolutely positive?

One is a pro-hate anti-gay extremist group, the other is a Christian pro-Israel group.

One has a website with klesmer music, the other has a website with pictures of a blood soaked manhatten skyline.

I really hope you picked the one with the Klesmer music, Eddie. Otherwise, I’m going to have to protest.

INSTA-UPDATE:

Eddie acknowledged via email that he invited a “pro-hate group.” But also said the Lynwood Convention Center “does not condone activities of any organization that promotes hate.”

You really can’t have it both ways, Eddie.

RSS icon Comments

1

Oh my GOD! This is amazing.

Posted by David Schmader | October 11, 2007 4:35 PM
2

Give this man a raise.

Posted by Ziggity | October 11, 2007 4:38 PM
3

The folks at the Southern Poverty Law Center should be kept abreast of this. Suggest copying them on future correspondence.

Posted by duncan | October 11, 2007 4:49 PM
4

According to the SPLC's original article on this subject, Meydenbauer HAS hosted them, too:

"During the past year, the Watchmen have met twice in the United States, first in Sacramento, then in Bellevue, Wash."

Posted by cmh | October 11, 2007 5:01 PM
5

So you were the first person to inquire? Hmm. Well, he won't be able to say he didn't hear the wave coming before it crashed...

Posted by Irena | October 11, 2007 5:30 PM
6

That's baloney. I sent an e-mail yesterday afternoon around 1pm. Since the group pays money to use the space the LCC does have the right to deny them. They are being very weak about this.

Posted by Sweetie | October 11, 2007 6:26 PM
7

three folks called from my office - they are not telling the truth about protest calls

Posted by Karla | October 11, 2007 7:09 PM
8

My sympathies to Mr. Tadlock.

Not only is it his lousy luck to have these jokers on his turf, he's also gotta take undeserved shit from people who don't know better than to criticize him for obeying his legal obligations under the first amendment. You know, like free assembly & all.

Hate groups like the Watchmen are ugly relics on their way to the cultural dustbin, but if that's all it takes to put you on the wrong side of the first amendment, well, maybe journalism isn't your calling.

Posted by Eric Arrrr | October 12, 2007 2:50 AM
9

@8 If you are naive enough to think that the LCC or Meydenbauer Center would openly rent their space to a blatant hate group like the KKK or some skin head organization you are sorely mistaken. It is very unfortunate that the City of Lynnwood and the Lynnwood Convention Center were duped in to letting the Watchmen on the Walls hold their conference at the LCC. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting the convention center know how dismaying it is that this group will be there spouting their hate (if this were a gay group there would be a whole sh_t storm coming from christian groups about them spreading an agenda). The group has misrepresented themselves in a very deceitful manner under the guise of a "christian" organization furthering human rights. This alone should give the convention center the power to say "you have violated the rules of our standard contract and we are going to have to cancel your event", but they have chosen not to do so.

Posted by Sweetie | October 12, 2007 7:19 AM
10

Sweetie,

Do you even realize that you're advocating prior restraint on free assembly in a public place?

The LCC is not private property. They are public property, just like a park, and its stewards have no choice as to who they will and will not accommodate.

And, as a public venue, nor should they.

Posted by Eric Arrr | October 12, 2007 8:42 AM
11

Eric,

Actually when a space must be paid for in order for a group to assemble it no longer becomes "public". While it may be "publicly" operated by the City of Lynnwood it is still a tool that is used to generate income for the city. It isn't as if this group is planning on holding their conference at a park which would then become an entirely different situation when it comes to freedom of speech and assembly.

Posted by Sweetie | October 12, 2007 9:27 AM
12

So... Protest?

Posted by Richard | October 12, 2007 9:35 AM
13

Just curious: Any particular reason you repeatedly spell it Lynwood -- even when reprinting the reply that repeatedly spells it correctly?

Posted by sitandspell | October 12, 2007 10:15 AM
14

How can we not protest? Question is how do we organize one? There is interest in the story in the MSM. I've heard from an editor at the Everett Herald who seems interested in the story. Postman put a post on his Times blog.( It would be helpful if more people would go to Postman's blog and post comments) I've been in contact with the producer for the Dave Ross show on KIRO radio. I've gotten an e-mail from someone at KING5 saying he was putting the story in the mix. I even e-mailed the national HRC people but have not heard back from them. I don't have a forum to try and organize boots on the ground.
@13....is spelling really the biggest issue here? Lynnwood is the correct spelling though...happy?

Posted by jamesb | October 12, 2007 10:45 AM
15

We must protest! This is a hate group pure and simple. They should not be allowed to even think these ideas, let alone have a meeting about them in a rented space.

I'm going to try to contact the pro-Israel group to hold meetings there instead. Can we get the Anti-Defamation league on this? Next thing you know they will be building swastika shaped buildings that are visable on google maps. As a Jew I feel personally offended by this.

Posted by Issur | October 12, 2007 10:49 AM
16

Sweetie,

Can you reference the relevant statute or administrative code?

Posted by Eric Arrr | October 12, 2007 11:24 AM
17

Should the conversation be focused on protesting a gathering that's destined to occur, or rather should we be focusing our energies on cooperating with local politicians and human rights organizations to curtail this barbaric movement through lobbying and policy?

Fighting fire with fire in regard to any fundamentalist movement only feeds the beast. I know this because I had the misfortune in being raised in a fundamentalist home/community.

An educated and poised reaction can help put an end to this. If anyone has suggestions as how to organize this, I am 100% on board.

Posted by furfur | October 14, 2007 12:25 AM
18

I contacted the convention center and they are holding there conferences Friday 6pm to 9pm Saturday from 11am to 9:30pm and Sunday from 6pm to 9pm. We are protesting Friday at 5pm and Sunday at 5pm. I am not sure who is protesting Saturday. I will be wearing a Pink Triangle on my arm representing the hatred they say we as gay men and woman caused the holocaust.

Please join us in peace, unity and equality for all.

Matt

Posted by Matt S | October 16, 2007 7:10 PM
19

I contacted the convention center and they are holding there conferences Friday 6pm to 9pm Saturday from 11am to 9:30pm and Sunday from 6pm to 9pm. We are protesting Friday at 5pm and Sunday at 5pm. I am not sure who is protesting Saturday. I will be wearing a Pink Triangle on my arm representing the hatred they say we as gay men and woman caused the holocaust.

Please join us in peace, unity and equality for all.

Matt

Posted by Matt S | October 16, 2007 7:42 PM
20

So this protest is happening for sure?
I'll be there.

Posted by Me | October 19, 2007 12:54 PM

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