Submitted by the Mullis Community Senior Center

The Mullis Community Senior Center is open and welcoming to all – we are the primary services and activity hub for seniors and disabled adults on San Juan Island in Friday Harbor, Washington. The Mullis Center is also one of the largest event venues on San Juan Island – available to the public to rent for retreats, meetings, workshops, memorials, conferences, classes, lectures, and casual or formal gatherings and events of all types.

Today the Mullis Center was made aware of widespread community concern regarding a private event that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 11 at the center. It has come to our attention that the speaker of this event is known and affiliated with organizations that have participated in hate speech (as defined by multiple national and international organizations) and represents a group that has been deemed an extremist hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

With this knowledge, the contract for this private event has been effectively terminated and the event canceled at the Mullis Community Senior Center.

The Mullis Center is committed to inclusivity and hosting a safe space for all who walk through our doors. We are sensitive and responsive to concerns that events of this type may pose the risk of inciting hate speech and violence against the LGBTQAI+ community and further stigmatize an already marginalized group. As a small nonprofit, we do our best to ensure our facility use is aligned with our commitment and mission to our community on San Juan Island.