Clarklewis statement about what happened in Portland this past weekend leaves out the part that matters most… I never claimed they knowingly booked a white nationalist event. I don’t think anyone who was there was.
But on top of everything, I recently received a message from someone who works at Clarklewis and was there that day.
They told me that several employees recognized the shirts as soon as the group came in.
They said they told Joe they were uncomfortable, and that Joe told them the group had a contract and couldn't be made to leave because of the event contract… that they just needed to get through it. They also told me Joe said the group could sue, or use their platforms to make the company look bad.
I was able to verify this person both works there, and was working that day.
So, at the very least, they were informed by their own employees before we even got there. So yes, they knowingly and willingly protected white nationalists.
Even if they didn’t know *before* they definitely knew once they were there. And it’s what they decided to do with that knowledge.
I watched what happened after I personally told the chef. I told him who these people were and his response was that the owners are gay.
He pointed to the Pride flag. And he told us they don't discriminate against religion.
instead of dealing with that information, we were threatened with arrest.
Three people were filming and asking questions and we were told the police could be called. We were told that if we wanted to film, we had to stand in the middle of the street, even though we were on public property. Meanwhile, the white nationalists were still inside.
Then the garage doors closed.
The blinds came down.
And the white nationalists were allowed to leave through the back.
So please please don’t tell us what you would’ve done had you known because I saw what you actually did when you found out