Demand Knezovich’s resignation

There have been a string of police-state tactics targeting protestors. These have been carried out by militarized police in cities such as Portland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Kenosha, and here in Spokane, when tenant activist and socialist Jeremy Logan was detained by unidentified officers right in front of me. It became very clear to me: the beginning stages of fascism are here.

Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich, who should resign because of his atrocious abuse of power, is empowered by Trump’s narrative that this “antifa boogeyman” is causing havoc and chaos all throughout the country, despite having no evidence whatsoever. Through violence, intimidation, and lies as evidenced in his recent press conference, Knezovich made it clear that he is going to target socialists in our community, much like how law enforcement officers are targeting socialists nationwide. The capitalist state has always used police to protect the interests of capital, and Sheriff Knezovich is committed to that principle.

Law enforcement is going to continue their tactics of state-sanctioned violence against the working class in Spokane County and beyond, and liberals in the reform camp must realize that if we are ever going to win, we are not going to vote ourselves out of this situation or pander to capitalist-friendly reforms. Defunding and demilitarizing the police is now more important than ever. We need an alliance composed of workers, students, and the community to confront the atrocities of fascism in an effort to dismantle capitalism and replace it with a socialist society.

William Neville

Spokane