MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Rep. Berg says that confrontation with canvasser was ‘racially motivated’

Jul 12, 2022, 11:42 AM | Updated: 1:31 pm

Photo courtesy of Rep. April Berg website...

Photo courtesy of Rep. April Berg website

Democratic State Rep. April Berg says she has no doubt a confrontation between a white man and one of her black campaign workers was racially motivated.

KIRO Newsradio’s Hanna Scott reported it happened Saturday as the Black campaign worker was trying to canvass in a Mill Creek neighborhood.

“Get out of my [expletive] neighborhood,” the harasser said.

That’s what 21-year-old Julian Jackson – Berg’s campaign field director – ran into shortly after getting out of his car to knock on doors in the neighborhood when a man on a bike approached him and demanded he leave. Jackson recorded much of the exchange on his cell phone, and explained to the man that he was doing his job.

WA State Supreme Court redefines warrantless interrogation, concludes ‘race and ethnicity matter’

In their exchange, Jackson can be heard trying to explain to the man his job does not require a “canvassing permit” in order to knock on doors in the neighborhood.

“This happened about a mile from my home. As a young Black man, my field director Julian is at risk while doing outreach because there are people who want to control the info their neighbors receive, who’ve decided that people like Julian ‘don’t belong’ in their neighborhoods,” Berg wrote on her Twitter.

The altercation lasted approximately five minutes and, in the end, Jackson opted to leave the neighborhood at Berg’s direction. He told the Everett Herald he also believes the incident was racially motivated.

MyNorthwest News

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

16 minutes ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

2 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

2 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

3 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

6 hours ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone and Bill Kaczaraba

‘Kia Boyz’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

7 hours ago

Rep. Berg says that confrontation with canvasser was ‘racially motivated’