EVERETT—Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) cancels his Everett campaign kick-off event tonight, Monday, June 24, at Scuttlebutt Brewing Taproom amid security concerns of pro-Palestine demonstrators.
“In the last week, pro-Palestine demonstrators have disrupted community events I held throughout the district,” Rep. Larsen released in a statement on Monday. “I expect the same to occur tonight in Everett. My campaign staff is capable and dedicated to the values we all share, however, they are not trained or equipped to conduct security at these events. The demonstrators have unfairly targeted my staff on social media and in-person at these events with verbal abuse that makes them feel threatened. It does not seem fair to subject them to another night of it. Additionally, I cannot guarantee your safety, or the safety of restaurant staff and patrons who have nothing to do with me or my campaign. You and they do not deserve that treatment either.”
On the third evening of Hanukkah in December of 2023, a red-soaked effigy of an upper torso representing a fake body next to the words written in chalk, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free; cease fire now,” was discovered at the entrance of the Everett Municipal Building and reported to Everett Police. Besides the Everett mayor, the building is the satellite office for Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Representative Rick Larsen.
“Antisemitism has no place in Everett, the Pacific Northwest, and the world,” Rep. Rick Larsen released in a statement on the incident.
A paper with Larsen’s name was taped to the door of the building near the incident.
An X account, Josh WINda for Congress, which alleges in its profile is not affiliated with the Larsen’s Democratic opponent, embattled Lynnwood City Councilman Joshua Binda, but supports the Lynnwood councilman, has several posts highly critical of the congressman’s support for Israel and the Jewish state.
The Josh WINda for Congress X account alleges that Larsen supports the genocide of Gazans and is a political shill for American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for receiving campaign donations from the organization.
Lynnwood Councilman Binda, who is challenging Larsen, reposted in his X account that he is a proud “Anti-AIPAC” challenger to Larsen. At its May 28 City Council meeting, Binda shared during council comments that he attended a pro-Hamas encampment demonstration at Western Washington University to show his support. The university is currently under investigation for hate crimes and an assault related to the demonstrations.
Another one of Larsen’s opponents, Green Party candidate Jason Call, slams him for taking campaign contributions from Boeing. Call alleges that Larsen “gives them [Boeing] a pass on consumer safety” and criticizes Boeing as “a primary contributor to death and destruction on planet earth.”
Boeing is Snohomish County’s largest employer in the Second District and in Washington state employing some 66,000 Washingtonians statewide. Aerospace is a $70 billion industry in Washington state employing some 130,000 according to the Washington State Department of Commerce.
On Thursday, May 30, the FAA accepted Boeing’s comprehensive “Product Safety and Quality Plan,” that aims to tighten supplier oversite and manufacturing processes. In an interview with the Lynnwood Times a few weeks ago, Larsen shared that his staff was analyzing the plan to hold not only Boeing accountable to safety but the FAA accountable to holding Boeing accountable to following its safety plan to regulators.
Larsen voted for the FAA Reauthorization Act which was signed into law on May 16, 2024, directing the FAA to conduct risk-based inspections of aircraft manufacturers in the aftermath of concerning accidents with Boeing aircraft. FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker is currently overseeing that Boeing production is sufficient to prevent future incidents such as Alaska Flight 1282 and assessing Boeing’s plan in response to FAA’s audit.
Despite the political attacks from his opponents and alleged threats from their supporters, Larsen says he is steadfast on protecting reproductive freedom, combating fentanyl in our communities, and building an economy that works for everyone.
“Fortunately, my friends and neighbors in the 2nd District have already made my 2024 campaign Kickoff Week a resounding success. I met with 90+ voters, had in-person conversations about the issues affecting them the most,” said Larsen. “So far, we have raised $24,500, exceeding our goal for Kickoff Week by $3,500, and we expect more contributions in the next 48 hours.”
He shared that the overt tactics and demonstrations “have not changed my position on Hamas’ unjustified attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.”
On Monday, June 24, dozens of Israelis filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees alleging that the UN refugee agency aided and abetted the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. They allege that UNRWA funneled approximately $1 billion from a Manhattan bank account to benefit Hamas to purchase weapons, explosives and ammunition, U.S. News reports.
“I support President Biden’s calls for a cease-fire and his cease-fire plan, which is supported by a unanimous vote of the UN Security Council,” said Larsen. “I continue to call for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages. I continue to deplore the deaths of innocent Palestinians. And I continue to support Israel’s right to exist and be secure in the region.”
Larsen remains confident that he will be successful this fall and continue representing the residents of the Second District.
“Our team is outworking our opposition and will continue to do so by knocking [on] doors, earning endorsements and raising the money necessary to communicate with the voters in the 2nd District. The stakes of this election could not be higher,” said Larsen.
Author: Mario Lotmore
