Thieves Attempt to Silence Tahoma Parents
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution enshrines the free flow of ideas, conversation, and discourse in our great nation. Having a protected ability to openly conversate and debate beliefs in our democracy ensures that all members participating in the American experiment have an equal voice. When the silence of dissenting opinion is tolerated, the very foundation of our nation is subverted.
As Tahoma Parents’ goal is to promote the voice of parents exercising their First Amendment right, it is crucial that we take the theft, vandalism, and destruction of our advertising seriously. Such acts of censorship directly impact the free flow of ideas in our community.
Over the last few months, Tahoma Parents has dedicated resources towards raising awareness of our cause through legal political advertising mediums. The goal of this effort is to bring knowledge of our existence to parents who need help with advocating for their children and with concerns they may have.
Sadly, we have found that some members in our community do not look favorably upon the American free exchange of ideas. This has led to theft, vandalism, and destruction of our political advertising around town. Per RCW 29A.84.040, the act of removing or defacing political advertisements is a misdemeanor offense.
Political advertising, removing or defacing.
A person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable to the same extent as a misdemeanor that is punishable under RCW 9A.20.021. The defacement or removal of each item constitutes a separate violation.
(3) Misdemeanor.
Every person convicted of a misdemeanor defined in Title 9A RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than ninety days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
One of our primary goals is to elevate the voices of parents who exercise their First Amendment rights for the betterment of their children. As such, Tahoma Parents has taken a firm stance against such repressible and illegal behavior. We have dedicated resources to ensure that parental voices in our community are not silenced.
After investing in monitoring and surveillance assets over the last month, we were able to successfully identify the primary individual responsible for the majority of our recently stolen/vandalized awareness advertisements. The Maple Valley Police Department has intervened and we have worked with the individual to recover our lost assets.
Identifying markers have been removed as a courtesy.
While Tahoma Parents is justified to pursue legal action under RCW 29A.84.040, we believe in this instance that reimbursement for our losses and education regarding the free exchange of ideas is sufficient. The member involved has agreed to these terms and has paid us for damages.
THAT BEING SAID…
Tahoma Parents will unapologetically pursue justice under RCW 29A.84.040 moving forward. We refuse to allow the silencing of parents who simply want to have their voices heard. Such acts of illegal censorship are both unjust and un-American. This isn’t just about lost assets. Our paramount concern is the preservation of our First Amendment American values and rights for ALL members of our community.
Censorship is a tool for morally corrupt individuals whose ideas cannot win out on their own. Tahoma Parents will fight to ensure that parents continue to have a voice!
Tahoma Parents would like to thank the MVPD for working with us and responding swiftly to these thefts. We appreciate the brave men and women who work every day to keep our community a safe and just place.
