Threats continue against Olympia business supporting America, police

An Olympia business owner is getting flak for flying American and Thin Blue Line flags outside of his store front after standing up to protesters on May Day.

Ever since the chaos of May 1 in the state’s capital, Twisted Monkey owner Jay Boiselle says his business has been the target of threats, both in person and on social media.

The trouble began on May 1, according to Boiselle, when a group of protesters making their way up Capital Way South were confronted by the owner of Twisted Monkey and some friends. Boiselle and a few friends kept the protesters from causing damage to the business by standing in front of it — holding batons and pepper spray. It never came to blows, as the business owner and his friends tell it.

Compared to how other businesses fared, Twisted Monkey got off light on May Day. Olympia police took at least nine people into custody for malicious mischief in the first degree. Several businesses were damaged, including US Bank and Starbucks.

Some of the weapons the rioters used on your OlyPD officers: pic.twitter.com/isPgwYjIHZ

— Olympia Police Dept (@OlyPD) May 2, 2017

Although May Day has come and gone, problems persist for Boiselle, who says a man walked into the store to announce that he hates the American Flag. On social media, people are trying to give it a bad reputation through poor reviews and negative comments, he says.

Meanwhile, Boiselle says he has done nothing to try and offend or attack anyone.

Listen to the entire conversation.