Spokane NAACP requests restart of hate mail investigation

NAACP leaders have asked the Spokane Police Department to restart investigations of who sent hate mail to the local chapter of the civil rights organization.

Police announced last week that they were suspending their investigation of a claim made by the group’s former president, Rachel Dolezal, that she received a package of threatening material in the chapter’s post office box. Documents released by police last week showed that the envelope had not been date stamped and likely had not been processed by the U.S. Postal Service.

“In response to recently reported acts of hatred, we call upon the appropriate law enforcement officials and the United States Postal Services not to minimize such acts in our community,” the local chapter wrote in a statement released Tuesday. “The Spokane NAACP is requesting that the Spokane Police Department, the USPS and other agencies involved give full disclosure of the findings, conclusions and ongoing investigations related to the ‘hate mail’ received at the Spokane NAACP mailboxes and related incidents.”

Spokane Police spokeswoman Teresa Fuller said she interpreted the statement as a request for SPD to investigate the allegations fully, “which we have.”

The case has been suspended, not closed, Fuller said. Male DNA was recovered from tape on the envelope, but no match was found, Fuller said. If that changes, police will resume the investigation, she said.

Also on Tuesday, the Spokane Human Rights Commission unanimously called for Dolezal to resign her seat on the Office of Police Ombudsman Commission. Dolezal serves as chair of the commission which examines cases of alleged police misconduct.

“We felt it was necessary to be proactive and try to control the damage done to the commission,” said Blain Stum, chairman of the Human Rights Commission. “We’re hoping that it doesn’t require any more than us asking for that to happen.”

The NAACP statement defended Dolezal, who has been under fire for claiming to be black for many years even though she is white.

She resigned her position as president of the NAACP chapter Monday.

“The questions being raised about the racial and ethnic background of former President Rachel Dolezal did not affect her qualifications to serve the organization,” the statement said. “Subsequent to former President Dolezal’s election in December 2014, she demonstrated courageous and empowering leadership. She rejuvenated the local NAACP committees and drew in leaders from all walks of life.”

The statement acknowledges community concerns about Dolezal’s leadership.

“Understandably, many people are hurt and angry,” the statement said. “We look forward to working through these issues together.”

Dolezal has created conflict within the NAACP, with some supporting her and others calling for her resignation.

Justin Pimsanguan wrote in an email to NAACP members Tuesday that he’s not quite ready to forgive and move on.

“Rachel caused a lot of problems and put us back several steps in our uphill battle for social justice,” he wrote. “We’re back at square one with both the Office of the Police Ombudsman citizen commission and the Spokane chapter of the NAACP.”