Tumwater city staff has drafted a resolution against hate, bigotry and discrimination following a series of incidents that included Mayor Pro Tem Leatta Dahlhoff getting called a racial slur while on a walk. Council member Peter Agabi said it’s become a pattern of behavior in the city.
Dahlhoff said during a Public Health & Safety committee meeting in September that she was walking her dog on Sept. 8 when a passing vehicle slowed down and and a person yelled, “Hey you (expletive) n-word.”
This incident came just after Dahlhoff had emailed police Commander Jay Mason regarding two similar incidents that happened in May to residents and two local businesses. The car in those incidents had a partial license plate that didn’t match the description of the car when run by police.
“It’s another example of behavior that is unacceptable in Tumwater,” Dahlhoff said.
Council member Kelly Von Holtz said the city must act to show such hate doesn’t belong in the community.
“As a council member, I want to be a part of taking a very strong stance,” she said. “There’s a difference between fitting in in our community and actually belonging. And I want everyone to feel like they’re safe and that they belong here. If we don’t say anything, then it’s the same as just allowing it, and we can’t allow it.”
Dahlhoff said she wanted the city to respond, and that led to the resolution discussed Tuesday, Oct. 8.
City spokesperson Jason Wettstein introduced a resolution to the Public Health & Safety committee affirming the council’s commitment to equality, dignity and the protection of civil rights, and standing against hate, bigotry and discrimination.
“The reason why, we have recent events at the national, state and local levels that have highlighted the need for the community to take a stand against hate and the violation of civil rights and reaffirm a shared commitment to justice, equality and human dignity,” he said.
He said the resolution not only provides a values-based foundation for the city’s work moving forward, but it also supports the city’s strategic priorities that would build a community recognized for its quality, compassion and humanity.
City Administrator Lisa Parks said this is an important first step toward creating a platform for future difficult community conversations around racism, hate and bigotry.
She said the resolution calls for establishing an Equity Commission, a first for the city. She said staff will conduct some initial community outreach to better understand folks’ lived experiences and what issues they face. The commission likely wouldn’t be on its feet until sometime next year.
The resolution also includes the city supporting local law enforcement in their efforts to investigate and address hate crimes and violations of civil rights. It also encourages residents to report any incidents of hate or discrimination they experience or witness.
Dahlhoff said she believes the resolution, which was drafted by Agabi, is a good starting point, but it could be more Tumwater specific.
“I would like it to be more action oriented and specific to Tumwater, because it feels too generic for me, and I want us to show that we aren’t just words,” Dahlhoff said.
She said an example would be to have action items in the resolution, such as creating partnerships and collaborations with local entities like the school district. She said the city has requested a joint meeting with the Tumwater School District board, but it hasn’t happened.
Dahlhoff said it goes back to being intentional about who the city is talking to, and how.
“So being more intentional and action oriented, instead of just saying we’re going to build trust and respect, and we want you to be able to come to us. How are we planning to do that, right?” she said.
In an interview with The Olympian, Dahlhoff said she wants the resolution to show the city’s priorities, which are the people.
“We’re people focused, people centered, and we’re people powered,” she said. “I’m tired of resolutions that don’t do anything. I really want things to be specific and actionable and that our community holds us accountable.”
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