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NARAL Barred from Summer Fest

Started 1 year ago by k
Latest reply from ws4ever

k
Member Profile

What happened to freedom of speech?
http://www.publicola.net/2010/07/06/naral-barred-from-west-seattle-summerfest/

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

Thanks for pointing this out, K.It's always good to be reminded of the moral courage of our business community.

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

K,

I fully support choice and am 100% pro-choice, and maybe more. I am not sure if summer fest is actually a public or private event. You have zero rights to free speech at private events. Zilch. If its a public event, I hope they sue the pants off them. I always drop a few dollars in their jar at the events I see them at.

Posted 1 year ago #
Que
Member Profile

If the ban also affects the creepy anti-choice booth that I always feel like I have to carefully distract my child when walking around it, I might be ok with it. I fully support choice, but it has always felt like an odd out-of-place time for abortion advocacy to me.

Posted 1 year ago #
HelperMonkey
Member Profile

last year was like running a gauntlet through pushy religious types and their creepy fetus baby dolls- there were 3 groups all in a row. And they were pushy and weird. It would be nice this year if they were banned as well. They make more people uncomfortable than NARAL.

*edit...would be nice if I read the farking article. looks like the anti-choice groups have been banned this year as well.

Posted 1 year ago #
MargL
Member Profile

Interesting - the article also says the ban affected religious organizations but I still see Calvary Chapel West Seattle listed in the online vendor list. So either it's not updated or it's 'select' religious organizations.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

perhpas the operative word there is vendor?

Posted 1 year ago #
dawsonct
Member Profile

Que, I'm sure it is not your intent, and I imagine you probably feel the same way I do, that though I fully and completely support a woman's right to make her own health-care decisions, I hardly advocate for abortions. As it has been said before, abortions should be legal, safe, and rare.
It's the conservative philosophy to treat the symptom while ignoring the disease.
---
I apologize for nitpicking, but the bumper-sticker philosophers of the farreich have conflated the private medical decisions between a woman and her doctor with murder for far too long, we don't need to give them any more ammo.

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

JoB, it's all about vendors -- ie, money. :-) Dawson, thank you for farreich -- it made my morning. This year the charlabobs are actually physically able to walk around the fest a bit, and I'll be curious to see how "issues" are dealt with. Maybe a "free speech pen" like they had at a Boston convention a few years ago. A cattle pen for the opinionated. And yeah, that's where you could find me. >-)

Posted 1 year ago #
HelperMonkey
Member Profile

hey charla, that's called the beer garden. and I will join you there. ;)

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

Money has ZERO to do with it. There are dozens of vendors there that are not selling anything. These are just a few I saw at first glance, I am sure there are others that are not there to sell anything directly.

34th District Democrats
Alaska USA Federal Credit Union
Alaska Way Viaduct & Seawall Replacement
BECU
Harbor Properties
One Reel
Penguin Windows
Seattle Lutheran Schools
US Bank
Verizon Wireless
West Coast Vinyl
West Seattle Food Bank
West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Carson...Thanks for the illumination

I am not in support of the Junction Assn's decision and may choose not to go to the event as a result.

They had a choice.. they could have instituted taste guidelines for all information vendors instead of choosing to bar anything they thought could have become controversial.

If the anti-abortion crowd .. i refuse to call them pro-life ... can't get their point across without shock tactics depicting violence.. they don't have much of a point to make. I am deeply offended by their tactics.

Banning the pro-life information booth from the fair because of the lack of restraint of the anti-abortion advocates only adds insult to injury.

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

JoB, I actually thought the same thing as well. Many of these events take a % of the sales, and for the larger events, they only invite those that "produce" but that is obviously not the case here.

They are not anti abortion, they are anti choice. There is a huge difference.

Posted 1 year ago #
Libertybell
Member Profile

As a current board member, I assure everyone that the choices made by the Junction Association are to achieve the best festival possible. Decisions are based on past experiences. Once you have a vendor at the festival, it is nearly impossible to control "taste" issues. It is not to limit anyone's speech, but to make everyone comfortable while attending a family friendly community event.

The Junction Association spends a lot of time and money in putting on the events in the Junction. They could not be achieved without the support of the merchants who paying for them. Hopefully the public can understand that decisions made are thought out and are to establish a pleasant environment for all to enjoy!

Posted 1 year ago #
Que
Member Profile

Liberty Bell, I really appreciate the efforts to establish a pleasant environment for all.

As a strong supporter of women's right to choose and to have autonomy over her body. I also think that the entire abortion debate has no place (from either side of the conversation) at the West Seattle Summer Festival.

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

I am way more offended by the over the top, pushy sales tactics of Penquin Windows than I am from either side of the family planning debate..

Posted 1 year ago #
DP
Member Profile

Libertybell,

You have a point about how hard it is to define what's tasteful. But remember, this is Seattle we're talking about here. Any event that excludes anything that might be controversial doesn't seem like much of a community event to me. It's seems more like mini-Disneyland.

I'm for keeping the abortion debate—and other important political debates—out in the open. If we don't give people a forum in which to express themselves peacefully, they may eventually resort to violence, and this applies equally across the political spectrum.

JoB et al.:

Of course you have a right to be offended by the tactics of the "anti-abortion crowd," but remember that for them, this is a profound moral issue. If you want to make any headway in a discussion on the issue, you have to start off by conceding that point. Once you've done that, you can proceed to make the point that, for you, choice is an equally profound moral issue.

If both sides can agree on that as a starting point, then maybe they can get somewhere.

Otherwise, probably not . . .

–David

Posted 1 year ago #
Sue
Member Profile

Just saw this about Mike Heavey asking them to reconsider and that he won't participate in the event if they don't: http://tinyurl.com/37vgf4g

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

According to comments made on the original article posted at this start of this thread, NARAL will be there without an official booth. They will be collecting signatures for upcoming legislation and educating the crowd. Glad to see they will still have a presence.

Posted 1 year ago #
Stargater
Member Profile

Sue,
Thanks for the heads up on Mike Heavey. That's one less candidate I have to worry about voting for. The festival will be better with one less pushy candidate there. SHAME ON MR. HEAVY FOR USING A COMMUNITY FESTIVAL TO MAKE A POLITICAL GRANDSTAND!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
dhg
Member Profile

So Naral goes but Calvary Chapel West Seattle stays? Randy Leskovar, senior pastor of the Church, wrote a doozy of a homophobic letter to the Herald last year. He brought suit against the City of Seattle challenging domestic partner benefits. How is it NARAL can't set up in the same place as this nutcase?

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

great point dhg. i wonder how the WSJA would respond to that question.

Posted 1 year ago #
Junction Association
Member Profile

West Seattle Summer Fest is a long standing festival focused on art, music and community. In past years, the Festival has received strong negative feedback against how the issue of abortion was being presented. In response to this feedback and in consideration of all parties, we have decided that Summer Fest will not be a venue to promote either side of this issue. Contrary to the Publicola article, other non-profits have been accepted into the festival. Our intent is to keep the event enjoyable for all festival goers.

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

homophobia is not enjoyable to this festival goer? you are allowing a church who has taken a stance against a large population of west seattle to participate in this event, but not NARAL? what a shame. this just doesn't make sense. why change after so many years? is there a new member of the association? why are you caving on this issue?

Posted 1 year ago #
Stargater
Member Profile

K
We are talking different aspects here. I was offended when I saw pro-life people handing pictures of aborted fetuses to children (we are talking 5 & 6 year olds) at past festivals. I confronted them at the time and I will surely confront Calvary if they are being homophobic. I believe that there is NO place for homophobia. But if their association banned everyone who had an opinion or view, there would be an empty street. I do not believe the association is trying to ban free speech, they are respecting the complaints of people like myself, who wish to have a safe place to bring a family. Do you want to explain to a 5 year old what a picture of an aborted fetus is? I know I don't!

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

it's all very disappointing. i was so excited to attend this year's fest after having been away last year. too bad.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

DP..

I have personally made the profound moral choice regarding abortion myself... and i chose to give birth to a child i gave up.

I want you to understand that this was not an easy choice to make. Aside from the profound affect going through with that birth had on my educational opportunities in the late 60s... i got to live most of my life without knowing whether my child lived.. and if so.. was the life I sacrificed so much for him to have.. the one he got?

But the fact of the matter is that even though abortion was illegal at the time i gave birth.. i had a doctor who gave me a safe and legal choice.

I don't believe anyone else has a right to make moral choices for another human being...

especially when they are not willing to take full responsibility for the consequences of the "choice" they have forced upon another person.

I don't believe the radical "pro-life" movement has anything to do with morals... i believe it has to do with judgments and with retribution.

killing abortion doctors to prevent them "killing" unwanted children sort of takes the moral high ground out of the debate.. as does plastering our billboards and community events with images of the mutilated bodies resulting from the antiquated partial birth abortion practices... abortions that are only legal now if the life of the mother is threatened...

I know there are those who would like to separate the two.. but the simple truth is that a mother who can not carry a child full term without dieing is not likely to give birth to a child with much chance of survival... and i have a difficult time with those who would choose the life of the unborn child over that of the mother.

If you want to talk about morals... who gave anyone the right to make that decision and how willing are you to hand your life and death decisions over to complete strangers who know nothing about you or your circumstances and whose priorities don't favor your life?

Where are those highly moral people when it is time to vote funds for feeding, sheltering, educating and nurturing unwanted babies? where are those highly moral people when it comes time to vote funds for education programs for the teen mothers of those unwanted babies? Where are those highly moral people when it comes time to vote funds for sexual education (including abstinence) to help prevent unwanted pregnancies?

Those billboards with the picture of a fully developed infant and slogans like he had fingers at however many weeks say it all.... they don't picture the embryo at that stage of pregnancy because the reality of an embryo wouldn't inflame passions and induce guilt...

The "pro-life" movement has nothing at all to do with life.. unless life is only precious before birth.

The ultimate goal of the pro-choice movement is to have every pregnancy end in the birth of a healthy child with parents who are willing to take the responsibility of creating a nurturing environment for that child...

That's what choice means. Abortion is only one of several choices for a woman faced with an unintended pregnancy.

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

Keep in mind, "The Junction" assoc that puts on the event is not in business to serve the community. Its an organization who's first function is to serve its members. The business owners. If you want to affect change, then that who you need to work.

Posted 1 year ago #
angelescrest
Member Profile

And, for every female we know/love, the choices must be available to her. It feels like those choices are under attack.

From NARAL today:

You are not going to believe this. Our fight for strong Pharmacy Board rules that protect access to needed medications, including emergency contraception, is facing an alarming setback.

As you may remember, back in 2007, thanks to an outpouring of letters, phone calls, emails, and public testimony from pro-choice activists, the Washington Board of Pharmacy passed two rules that expressly protect patients' access to medications at the pharmacy counter. Under these rules, a patient cannot be turned away due to the personal, non-medical beliefs of a pharmacist.

However, a pharmacy owner and two pharmacists filed a lawsuit against the rules. That case has taken a series of twists and turns, including a Ninth Circuit ruling in support of pharmacy access, and a trial on the rules has been set for the end of the month.

Then, last week the Pharmacy Board called a last-minute meeting and voted to re-open the rulemaking process, potentially to weaken the pharmacy access rules we worked so hard to pass.

And today, the State of Washington, joined by the anti-choice plaintiffs in the case, filed a motion requesting a delay in the trial to allow time for a new rulemaking process.

It is outrageous that the Board of Pharmacy and the State are jeopardizing our hard-fought victories for women's health. We cannot afford to lose ground on this important fight for access to needed, time-sensitive medications.

Stay tuned for updates on this case and how you can get involved. Be prepared to stand up and protect access to essential health care for women and for all Washingtonians.

Thank you for all you do to protect women's rights and health.

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Libertybell
and Junction Association...

I realize you are a private organization.. but you are holding a public event in a public space..

choosing to bar an organization simply because you are uncomfortable with the possible subject matter without creating guidelines that would also bar other organizations whose agendas might also be controversial is likely illegal.

This is a textbook definition of discrimination.

I would like to remind you and the other members of this association that many of us vote with our pocketbooks.

I am not comfortable supporting a function that promotes discriminatory practices or businesses who condone discriminatory practices.

I won't be attending the festival if NARL does not have a booth.
I won't buy anything from any festival vendor if NARL doesn't have a booth.
I won't patronize any Association member's business if NARL does not have a booth.

This might be a good time to take a good look at the demographics of those who choose to pay more to support local businesses

and canvas your members to see if they are willing to risk financial censure for this controversial decision...

Posted 1 year ago #
Carson
Member Profile

You hit that one right on the head JoB, nothing speaks louder than your pocketbook!!!

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

thank you JoB for your words. poignant and honest.

Posted 1 year ago #
dhg
Member Profile

So if we protest the Calvary chapel by holding signs of aborted fetuses then they'll be barred next year?

Posted 1 year ago #
HelperMonkey
Member Profile

dhg, maybe we should hold up pics of Ted Haggard.

Posted 1 year ago #
WSB
Member Profile

http://westseattleblog.com/2010/07/west-seattle-summer-fest-will-allow-abortion-issue-advocacy-after-all

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

thank you!

Posted 1 year ago #
JanS
Member Profile

I really like the provision that WSJA has to approve handouts. I firmly believe that Naral and Planned Parenthood handouts would be tasteful, informative. While the other side handouts may be informative, I don't think ( and this is just me), that they give a d**n about "tasteful"...they're in it for the shock value.

It will be interesting to see how close in proximity they are to each other. I, myself, if I go to Summerfest, will steer clear of any "political" anything. We get that enough in our regular lives...Summerfest is about fun, in my book :)

Posted 1 year ago #
angelescrest
Member Profile

And, thank you k for having brought this to our attention. Talk about affecting a change, JoB!

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Libertybell
and Junction Association...

Thank you for making this decision. I really would have missed this festival and shopping in the Junction. I think it is really important to support local businesses and it matters to me that they are responsive to the community they serve.

I also want to thank you for monitoring signs and handouts. Graphic images.. where relevant.. belong on the inside of handouts at family friendly functions.. as does anger.

I am really looking forward to this event.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Posted 1 year ago #
charlabob
Member Profile

Thank you to everyone who uncovered this story and effected the change.We'll be there with bells.

Posted 1 year ago #
jonfredlund
Member Profile

The local political spin on the story

http://www.publicola.net/2010/07/07/34th-district-candidate-heavey-wont-participate-in-summerfest-if-naral-cant/

Posted 1 year ago #
anonyme
Member Profile

JoB, you rock!

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

3 cheers for publicola

this could so easily have slipped under our radar :(

Posted 1 year ago #
k
Member Profile

i hope to meet you someday JoB!!

Posted 1 year ago #
JoB
Member Profile

i plan to be at the bar at the heartland cafe today for happy hour.. 4 ish...

we will see if i make it.. it's hot out there.

Posted 1 year ago #
blackwatch
Member Profile

I'm with Mike Healey on this one. Free speech is always the best way to go no matter how uncomfortable it can be a times. Lack of free speech is greatly responsible for the fix America is in right now.
It's just unfortunate that some groups don't know how to act in public, and just because you have Profound Moral Issues doesn't give you the right to be an ass.

Posted 1 year ago #
yeah-me
Member Profile

Is Calvary Chapel the group in the black T-shirts? They surrounded my little girl and I the three times we walked by their booth. I said "no thank you" to their little hand-outs -- but I did feel they were WAY to aggressive. If I am interested I will step up to your booth. If not, let me walk by...

Posted 1 year ago #
ws4ever
Member Profile

Thanks to all who made sure this event includes all viewpoints. That's why I love WS!

Posted 1 year ago #

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