Farage protest on point

In the Sept. 28 article, “Brexit architect Nigel Farage lauds Trump, Bannon in speech at Davenport Grand Hotel,” local Republican leaders sounded defensive as they struggled to dissociate Nigel Farage from the far right. Their defensiveness proves the protesters’ point: Washington Policy Center invited an embarrassing, right-wing extremist, and they shouldn’t do it again.

Although speaking for myself, I was on the four-person committee that organized the protest, endorsed by eight local groups. Spokane’s Democratic Socialists of America, Socialist Alternative, and Peace and Justice Action League (PJALS) led the organizing.

No mere “Brexit architect,” Farage represents the racist wing of Brexit, actively supports European far-right parties, and is bringing his politics of hate to the U.S. with Steve Bannon’s help. Farage mocks concern for “Dreamers” and floats the idea of Muslim internment camps. Fascists love Farage. (Not surprisingly, some showed up at the Davenport; one showed us the slogan “Hitler did nothing wrong” on his phone.)

As we chanted, “Nigel, you can’t hide: we can see your racist side,” Farage deigned briefly to overlook us from the balcony, saying poshly that he found us “very disappointing.” We’re disappointed in you, Nigel.

Joan Braune

Spokane