Boykin鈥檚 Speech at Civic Breakfast Stirs Controversy in Washington State
A scheduled appearance by , a noted conspiracy theorist who has called President Obama a 鈥淢arxist鈥� and warns incessantly of a 鈥淢uslim threat,鈥� this morning at a civic 鈥減rayer breakfast鈥� in Washington has stirred controversy.
Muslim-American community leaders in Seattle , saying he is an 鈥渁nti-Muslim bigot鈥� with a history of hateful remarks about both Muslims and President Obama.
鈥淲hile Mr. Boykin has the right to hold extremist anti-Muslim views, his un-American bigotry should not receive the endorsement of elected officials who serve citizens of all faiths,鈥� said Arsalan Bukhari, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations for Washington, based in Seattle.
Alongside a history of, Boykin has said that to counteract the world鈥檚 growing Muslim population; called who is using psychological operations on Americans; claimed that the repeal of the 鈥渄on鈥檛 ask, don鈥檛 tell鈥� doctrine has of the military; warned that Obama is with an agenda 鈥�; and to create a 鈥淏rownshirt army.鈥�
Apparently, Clark County Mayor鈥檚 and Civic Leaders鈥� Prayer Breakfast planning committee were unaware of that history and voted to retain Boykin as their keynote speaker for this morning鈥檚 event, . But that came in spite of many dissenting voices.
Roger Button, a spokesman for the local chapter of the YMCA, one of the event鈥檚 key sponsors, told the paper that the organization had voted to rescind the invitation, saying when it invitation was first made, most committee members 鈥渄idn鈥檛 really look into it.鈥�
The YMCA issued a statement: 鈥淭he purpose of the mayor鈥檚 prayer breakfast is to pray for, encourage and uplift our civic leaders, first responders and those that serve and protect our community. It is meant to be an uplifting event, one in which we call on the risen Christ to bless our leaders. Originally we had asked our keynote to speak based on his Christian testimony. In recent days statements made by the speaker have come to our attention that detract from the purpose and mission of the prayer breakfast. Therefore the YMCA does not support bringing this speaker to the Clark County Mayors鈥� & Civic Leaders鈥� Prayer Breakfast.鈥�
Several other public officials also claimed that Boykin鈥檚 presence would keep them away from the public event. Vancouver City Council member Jack Burkman said he had already planned to skip this year鈥檚 breakfast, a decision underscored by the keynote speaker.
鈥淲ow, how did they make that decision?鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not new information. Boykin has been getting a lot of negative publicity for quite some time. This is a clear signal to me not to attend this event.鈥�
Vancouver City Council member Alishia Topper also posted on Facebook: 鈥淚鈥檓 in New York this Friday, but if I were home I would not attend this year鈥檚 prayer breakfast because of the keynote speaker. I do not support hate and am shocked the event organizers chose such a polarizing guest speaker. Organizers should reconsider their invitation and event sponsors should think about how sponsoring this event will make their business look.鈥�
