Subject: Eye-witness Report, NSM in Olympia
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:02:20 -0700 (PDT)

Sunday, June 18th-

I was in downtown Olympia today from just before noon
until a little past 1:00 when the five NSM members
left.  The 5 NSM members arrived today, June 18th,at
about 11:15 A.M. by King Solomon's Reef restaurant,
downtown  on 4th. I think they leafletted some
neighborhoods in Olympia earlier today. When I got
downtown, the neonazis were at 5th and Capitol.
They were at the outskirts of an ongoing street fair
in uniform and with Nazi flag.

Eventually about 20 people, 1/2 of whom I didn't know,
joined together and told the neo-Nazis their message
of hate was unwelcome in Olympia and anywhere.  The 5
NSM members left a little after 1:00 P.M., from where
they were parked, which was 5th and Franklin. They
wanted to provoke a fight and people got in their face
but didn't swing at them. Some of the people who were
verbally the most aggressive, challenging the NSM 5
are street youth who the Nazis are trying to recruit.
They were a few police watching from afar but the NSM
and us were within a few feet of each other.

We, also talked to all passerbys about who NSM was,
and why we were opposing their anti-immigrant,
anti-Black, anti-Jewish anti Gay and Lesbian,
anti-disabled, anti "race-Mixing" message.  They, the
NSM, were particularly hateful towards
African-Americans. Solidarity in action with
African-Americans and the African-American community
here is especially important if we are serious about
working for justice.

We said to people walking by and to the NSM that they,
the Nazis, were scapegoating those with the least
power in this society and this would not be tolerated.
I think our talking to many people walking and driving
by  was very effective, many, many people listened and
we had good discussions with them. We also mentioned
to passer-bys the July 2nd rally at Sylvester Park and
the Monday, July, 3rd counterdemonstration at the
Capitol. It is too bad we didn't have leaflets.

Of all the passer-bys and they were many; only one
gave the NSM  a thumbs up sign, when he walked by.
Possibly because of our presence, he didn't stop to
talk to them.

Many, many people thanked us for challenging the NSM,
including a few World War II vets. Others, who were
equally anti-Nazi  thought we should just ignore them.
I understand that position but I want to especially
thank those who spoke up and acted today.

Maybe, on Monday, July 3rd, when the NSM has called
for their white supremacist rally at the Capital, we
should surround the Nazis, turn our backs on them, 
and have our own rally, a pro-equality,
anti-oppression one with music and creative theater.
(We would have  a few people watching them)  I doubt
if NSM  will have more than 40 people, no matter how
much they boast.  In solidarity, 

[name removed by webmistress]