‘Racist and threatening’ fliers posted in Richland. Police are investigating

Richland police are investigating reports of fliers tacked up in Richland with a hostile message, evidently aimed at people rallying or protesting for Black Lives Matter.

“The Left Are your Enemies,” is written across the top of the flier, as shown in a widely circulated photo on social media.

“We see your little signs, we hear your chants and your support for those who want to see America destroyed, her culture defiled, her history erased and her people killed or replaced,” it said.

“You are TRAITORS. Consider yourself ON WATCH,” it said.

It also says that “the war is on” and will be a fight to the bitter end.

“WE SEE YOU. LEAVE NOW. You are NO LONGER WELCOME,” the flier says.

Richland police received the first report of the flier Monday night, but did not find a flier posted when they arrived, said Sgt. Drew Florence.

Photos on social media show a flier stapled to what appears to be a wood utility pole.

Police received more reports of fliers Tuesday morning and had officers looking for them.

“We obviously take it very seriously and will continue to investigate,” Florence said.

Black Lives Matter groups have organized two peaceful rallies along George Washington Way in Richland in recent weeks to protest racial injustice and police brutality cases nationwide.

Racist, threatening

Holly Roettger of Richland posted on social media that she was offering a reward of $500 to anyone who could provide her proof of who was posting the fliers. She asked if others wanted to donate, and the reward was soon bumped to $700.

She can be reached at the Facebook page for H.A.R.D Photography.

Roettger, who has a biracial family, says she is concerned for the safety of her children and others in her neighborhood.

One of the signs was posted down the street from her home. Recently a sign that said “Love is love. Black lives matter. Science is real. In this home we love everyone” disappeared from her yard.

She does not think it is a coincidence.

The fliers are a threat, she said.

“They flat out say leave now,” she said. “It is scary what is happening in our communities.”

There were reports of the fliers near Swift Boulevard and Highway 240 and near Cedar Avenue and Hartford Street.

One woman posted on social media that the flier in the much-shared photo on social media was on her street.

“I’ve never been fearful for my family, myself and my neighbors until today,” she said. “Our street is quiet and congenial. There’s good people here, good families. But this flier just made our neighborhood turn ugly.”

But another person posted that what the flier said was true.

“These people feel our country is being taken over by left wing radicals,” he posted. “I didn’t read anything racist in the flier, just people wanting to protect their way of life.”

No, others responded, calling the flier is hateful, threatening and racist.

This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 10:59 AM.