People gather Sunday morning on the steps of the Snohomish County campus plaza in Everett for a rally against hate. (Diana Hefley / The Herald)

People gather Sunday morning on the steps of the Snohomish County campus plaza in Everett for a rally against hate. (Diana Hefley / The Herald)

‘Rally Against Hate’ speakers tout tolerance, peace in Everett

EVERETT — Jordan Davis-Miller wants his voice to be part of the story of ending hate and respecting the differences in others.

Last year as a junior at Mariner High School, he studied U.S. history, and as he sees it, what’s going on today across the country is historical, a pivotal point in time. What will be the message?

“My point is it’s about spreading love,” the 17-year-old said.

Help the youth not repeat the mistakes of the past, he said. Keep an open mind, build relationships and listen to other’s stories, the teen said.

Davis-Miller left his seat next to his mom and dad Sunday to address hundreds of people gathered at the plaza outside the Snohomish County government campus in Everett.

Davis-Miller told the crowd that he is a biracial teenager, who is proud to go Mariner High School, a diverse place that gives him the opportunity to learn about other cultures and beliefs. He seeks out others who are different from him. It helps him keep an open mind, he said.

“We need to push people of every race to speak up and be proud of who you are,” Davis-Miller said.

There is no room for hate. His words brought the crowd to its feet.

The Snohomish County chapter of the NAACP organized Sunday’s “Rally Against Hate” in response to the Aug. 12 white supremacist rally in Virginia that erupted in violence. Heather Heyer was killed and several other people were injured when a man drove into a crowd of counter-protesters.

People came from across Snohomish County on Sunday to speak out against white nationalists and neo-Nazis.

Rev. Steven Greenbaum with the Living Interfaith Church in Lynnwood asked the crowd to lead with love and not hate, even if they are angry about what happened in Charlottesville.

“Please let us not succumb to hate,” he said.

Jeff Ferderer, who has taught at Mariner High School, invited others to join him at noon on the first Sunday of every month to walk “peacefully, quietly and fearlessly” in support of immigrants and refugees. The walk begins at the courthouse and ends at Grand Park in north Everett.

Janice Greene, president of the local NAACP chapter, asked the crowd to think about what they are going to do as individuals and as a community to fight racism, bigotry and hate.

“This is not a partisan issue…This is a community issue and we’re just not going to take it here,” Greene said.

Several people came with signs and stories about fighting for civil rights decades ago.

“How many of you went through this in the ‘60s?” Greene asked.

Dozens of hands shot up in the air.

“Welcome back,” she said.

Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers told the crowd he was shocked by the images of people in the streets toting Nazi flags and torches.

“This is a day to stand up and speak out,” he said.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.