I was out of town when the whole “let Julie swim demonstration” happened, so I read the article in the Leader and did a Google search for other coverage.

The top search result on YouTube was from an organization called Rebel News. They gave Julie a long interview in which they referred to the victim of Julie’s harassment as a man who identifies as a woman. Julie said it was “inappropriate” for this person to be in the woman’s changing room or to accompany the two children she was with, the implication being that this young trans woman is a threat to Julie or to the children which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Julie said that she supports trans and LGBTQ rights! I guess as long as it’s not in her locker room.

She went on to thank everyone who has supported her. The reporter then named the mayor of Port Townsend and made a vague statement about the mayor supporting beastiality and pedophiles.

I don’t think Julie has any idea how dangerous her thoughtless actions are to her victim, the mayor, and our community. Port Townsend is now on the radar of the alt-right with a demonstration planned for September.

Will she express her gratuities when they show up armed? I think it’s time for our community to have a serious conversation about how we will deal with political violence and intimidation now that we have become a target of the right.

Bill Bradley
PORT TOWNSEND