Fagan’s abominable actions

On May 23, City Councilmember Mike Fagan led a chant for “Liberty State” supporters. “Liberty,” he shouted; “State,” his audience shouted.

“Closing the southern border will create a shortage of infectious diseases, welfare fraud, meth, heroin, fentanyl, rapists, sex trafficking, murderers, home invasions, prayer rugs, MS-13, voter fraud, hate crimes …” he said. Because he mentioned avocados, he later tried to spin the whole thing as “a joke …”

Wait! “Prayer rugs”? Clearly, “prayer rugs” increases the hateful ignorance he was spewing to include Muslims in his deceitful rant against people from “the southern border.”

Matt Shea’s assistant Rene’ Holaday was quoted at that event: “It’s either going to be bloodshed or Liberty State.” Silence from Fagan about this.

Today he says he’s “not necessarily a supporter of the Liberty State movement.” You don’t lead a chant for something for which you are “not necessarily a supporter.” You object to calls for violence. He hasn’t.

Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, but when a member of government participates enthusiastically in an event intended to spread ignorance, hatred and calls for violence, the city has a responsibility to remove that person from office, or at least, publicly censure them.

Otherwise, the entire civic body, government and polity, is stained by Fagan’s abominable actions.

Marianne Torres

Spokane