Controversial Burien letters determined to be a hoax

Controversial letters that were spread at Burien businesses and caused a stir have been deemed a hoax.

According to a statement from the King County Sheriff’s Office: “A letter distributed to several downtown Burien Businesses last month purporting to be from the New Black Panther Party, was determined to be a hoax.”

RELATED: Controversial letters found at homes, businesses

An investigation was launched after letters targeting Mexican immigrants and Burien’s status as a sanctuary city were found at various businesses and homes in late January. KIRO 7 reports that the letter stated “We encourage violence against Jews, Whites, and Police. We now are concerned about our way of life being threatened by the Mexican Illegal Aliens. We do not advocate violence towards them.”

Initially, all that was publicly known was that the letters claimed to be from a black nationalist group. On Friday, the King County Sheriff’s Office said that the letters appeared to be from the New Black Panther Party, but are not genuine. The actual source of the letters is unknown.

“Although concerning, the statements contained in the letter are considered free speech and therefore do not violate the law,” Burien Police Chief Ted Boe noted.

“While what was contained in this letter is protected by free speech, the sentiments expressed in the letter do not represent the Burien community, where residents and community leaders value and celebrate Burien’s diversity,” Burien City Manager Brian Wilson said.

When the letters were found in January, a spokesperson for the then-unnamed black nationalist group called the letter “ridiculous” and said “We nor anyone affiliated with [our group] would write, print or circulate such silliness.”

The small town has come under criticism for its status as a sanctuary city. In 2018, Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta, the city’s first Latino mayor, was assaulted in an alleged hate crime.

“To me, the letter was scary,” Matta told KIRO 7 in January. “At the end of the day, somebody may take that serious and hurt someone.”

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