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34th District Candidate Heavey Won’t Participate in Summerfest if NARAL Can’t

2010 Election, Politics, This Washington   July 7, 2010 at 5:04 pm Erica C. Barnett

Mike Heavey, one of three candidates for state representative in the 34th District, says he won’t participate in West Seattle Summerfest—a huge annual festival in West Seattle—unless the fest’s organizers, the West Seattle Junction Association, allow NARAL to participate in the festival. NARAL has had a table at the fest for nine years. This year, however, the WSJA told them they couldn’t participate because of anti-choice protesters whose graphic visual materials were inappropriate for a family event.

In a letter to WSJA director Susan Melrose, Heavey wrote:

I believe the way you prevent bad speech is by encouraging more free speech, not less.  Additionally, I share the goals of Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington about educating our citizens with medically-accurate information. The goals of both NARAL Pro-Choice Washington and Planned Parenthood are not only in sync with West Seattle, but also our state. … It would be a shame to let a few extreme and objectionable organizations ruin the great advocacy work of both Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington.

… If the WSJA will continue to hold firm to its position, I will regrettably have to decline participation from this year’s event.  I do not do so flippantly or reactively, as this is a great event in the center of a district where I am seeking election. Losing this opportunity to meet with voters and increase my visibility is not a decision I make lightly. However, I am a 100% pro-choice candidate and this ban runs counter to my beliefs and I believe does a severe injustice to the vast majority of my district who votes pro-choice.  I hope other candidates up and down the ticket agree with me and will join me in asking you to reconsider your position.

Joe Fitzgibbon, one of two other Democrats running for the position, says, “I’m not happy about the decision to exclude NARAL and punish them for the over-the-top behavior of the anti-choice groups.” Instead of not participating in the festival at all, he says, he’ll help out NARAL by handing out postcards.

Marcee Stone, the remaining Democrat in the race, had no comment on whether she would participate in the festival, according to her spokesman, Kenyon Foxworthy.




  • gloomy gus

    Nice, Heavey!

  • giffy

    Good for him! I am rather sick of offensiveness being used to silence speech. Get. Over. It.

    There is no right to not be offended.

  • Another34thPCO

    Does Heavey participate in anything?

  • moi

    Thank-you Ed! Fuck the offensiveness offense.

  • wsoutsider

    The West Seattle bashing can officially stop

  • Guest

    Why won't Sharron Nelson endorse?

  • jeffuppy

    Sharon Nelson has endorsed Joe Fitzgibbon.

  • ivan

    So have nine other state reps. So have a boatload of unions and enviro groups. So have I. Joe is by far the best candidate in this field.

  • Frank Aziz Mint

    Nice, deft move by Heavey. LEt's review the bidding, okay?

    He already has name ID others couldn't even get if they had $500,000 each to spend on voter contact. Seriously, how many times have voters cast votes for the Heavey name in W Seattle, Seattle's most tribal, oops I mean most geographically loyal, neighborhood? About 300,000 times already in a dozen elections?

    He's leading in fundraising too.

    And with this moves, he shows he knows how to adriotly play right into the hands of a key reporter known for feminism to garner yet another headline, a photo and a glowing write up.

    Now, that's political smarts. Oh, and his action is the strongest on the issue, too, that always helps a bit, you know.

    I can see his letter being quoted in a nice mail piece to pro choice voters. Good move Mike.

    Seems like someone taught him well.

  • Suzannewindsor65

    I have to agree. Although I haven't been nearly as impressed with Heavey as you seem to be. He seems a little sour patch kids to me. But this was a bolder move than just handing out NARAL propoganda. It was impressive and I like that kind of leadership from politicians. We don't see it enough.

  • Eleanor

    NARAL is now allowed to table at West Seattle Summer Fest.

    http://westseattleblog.com/2010/07/west-seattle…

    There is nothing impressive about Heavey and there is nothing pro-choice about attending or not attending a festival. This is just more evidence that he doesn't get it. Pro-choice means taking bold stands on parental notification, late term abortion and waiting periods. This is posturing and it's very transparent.

  • Yardgnomenews

    Thanks Mike! It was a pleasure being in IDF with you! Way to stand up for what is right!