Ageless Liberty
Lewis County is one of the most conservative areas in Washington State. Sixty-two percent of its citizens voted for Trump in 2016 and Sixty-five percent voted for him in 2020. When Trump supporter Joe Kent ran for congress in 2022, Lewis County voters helped him oust moderate Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler in the primary. But, despite those conservative credentials, it seems that nowhere is safe from progressive nonsense.
On August 5th, my local paper, The Chronicle, reported that the president of the Lewis County Seniors, Carol Brock, issued a statement banning prayer and political discussion in their six centers across the county. The senior centers are run by a nonprofit organization but, the buildings are publicly owned and the organization accepts funding from city, county, and state agencies. This is how many lower-income seniors receive meals and maintain social contact. However, when they come to one of these publicly funded centers now they are being told they cannot discuss religion or politics. I’m not a lawyer but this sounds like a violation of freedom of speech and religion.
I phoned a friend of mine on the board and summarized Carol Brock’s statement. He responded that, due to the diversity of faiths at such events, there had been discussion about having a moment of silence but, people could pray at their own table.
“That is not what Brock has stated,” I said. Then I quoted her statement, “No Prayer – Moments of silence are all that may be called for without any commentary or added statements. No Politics – No discussion on candidates, campaigns (local or national), memorabilia or displays of political parties or issues. Discussions on voting in general as a civic duty are permitted.”
My friend said that her statement exceeded what the board had discussed. Toward the end of the call he reminded me that in addition to her position on the board of Lewis County Seniors, Brock is also the chair of the local Democrat party.
I nodded. Now it made sense. In her statement, she talks about both inclusion of those who are marginalized and diversity. Then she declares that “The U.S. joins many nations around the world dedicating an entire month celebrating PRIDE and the LGBTQIA+ community. We will to (sic).”
Only after she talks about the LGBTQIA+ community, does Brock announce the ban on prayer and politics. The sequence implies that there is a connection between accepting LGBTQIA+ individuals and the need to forbid prayer and political discussion. Were the unruly seniors discussing topics that Brock believes should be forbidden?
Later, Brock stated that the Older Americans Act of 1965 forbids prayer and political discussion at the senior centers and that the local Area Agency on Aging has a similar policy. According to the Chronicle, “both of Brock’s contentions are devoid of factual foundations.”
The previously quiet board meetings are now attended by many local seniors. Carol Brock is struggling to maintain her position and the organization is working to find a solution. This has turned into an example of citizen power over bureaucracy. I’ll be interested in the solution they arrive at.
Have you experienced attempts to restrict basic freedom in your community? Were you able to stop it? Tell us about it in the comment section below.
