The League stands for inclusion, equity, and diversity. Below is our response to recent hate-bombing incidences via zoom at city council meetings by people hoping to divide us and weaken our democracy. We shared this letter with local newspapers and the City of Ellensburg.

December 12, 2023

The League of Women Voters envisions a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. The League is committed to equity for all voters and the recognition that democracy is strengthened by the inclusion of all the diverse voices in a community.

We support the Ellensburg Mayor and City Council in their efforts to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for all residents to express concerns and opinions.

The recent hate-bombing of the Ellensburg City Council meetings by cowardly hate groups is disturbing, upsetting and designed to destroy our democracy. And it is apparently a national effort. The anonymous individuals doing this have one goal in mind: to instill fear and drive wedges among us. They want to divide and weaken us. They want us to see each other as adversaries rather than neighbors who may look different or prefer WSU Cougars over Gonzaga Bulldogs, or attend Synagogue instead of Lutheran church.

Civil discourse is fast becoming a lost art: the ability to share differences of opinion in a respectful productive way to foster understanding and constructive communication, but it is critical to our democracy. Civil discourse is a conversation that is truthful, productive, about listening and talking and it uses reason, evidence, and facts. By contrast, hate-bombing uses insults, contempt, threats and lies. [Civil discourse can unite us while hate can only divide us]

• If we let someone distract us with their hate and fear, they win.
• If we stop seeing residents as our neighbors and friends, but as adversaries, they win.
• And if they win, democracy loses.

Stand for democracy. Stand for civil discourse. Stand against hate, lies, and insults.

LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.

Charli Sorenson, President of League of Women Voters of Kittitas County