Richland business plans peaceful march to City Hall after death threats over drag show
A Richland restaurant is organizing a march to the Richland City Council meeting this week after many citizens were angered by the council’s lack of support of businesses with long-standing all-ages drag shows.
Supporters of the Emerald of Siam plan to gather at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the restaurant at 1314 Jadwin Ave., then peacefully march a half mile to Richland City Hall to show support for businesses hosting the events and the LGBTQIA+ community.
A Richland council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 625 Swift Blvd.
“We appreciate your continued support during this time,” the 40-year-old business posted on its Facebook page to its supporters.
Tensions have been high in recent weeks, with critics pressuring two Tri-Cities businesses to cancel the events and claiming the shows are “grooming” children for sexual deviancy.
The restaurant was the subject of a written death threat last week and was harassed for hosting an all-ages Easter Drag Brunch event.
Richland Mayor Pro Tem Theresa Richardson said she has also received similar “vile, profane” threats for telling citizens to write to the Emerald of Siam with their concerns about the event, although management has suggested her comments fanned the flames of harassment.
Family-friendly drag shows promoted for all ages do not include any explicit content, stripping, swearing or provocative dancing, say organizers.
Some in the community have called for the city to ban all-age shows, despite Tri-City businesses hosting them for many years.
Early Sunday, prior to the Easter event, vandals plastered signs on the windows of the Emerald of Siam.
Another all-age show held just days prior at the Out and About gay club in Pasco attracted the attention of dozens of picketers and opponents of the shows.
This story was originally published April 17, 2023 at 12:56 PM.
