A political rally will occur in Anchorage on Aug. 5 with a particular focus on standing against recent incidents of smashed and stolen political signs and the spread of hateful and racist messages.
Organized by the campaign of Shelley Hughes, who’s running for governor, the event’s stated goal is to call out “the violent destruction of political signs that have occurred in recent weeks, most notably in South Anchorage against Republican candidates.”
“Security cameras captured footage of three individuals cutting a large swastika across a Hughes/Gettys sign on private property in the middle of the night, destroying the sign while also spreading a message of hate, racism, and terror,” a notice about the rally stated. “Other candidates’ signs in Anchorage this election season have been pulverized with a sledgehammer; some have been knocked down and broken apart, others spray painted.”
On Aug. 1, the Repeal Now political group that is working to ditch Alaska’s controversial ranked-choice voting system reported that one of their “Yes on 2” signs was recently stolen in broad daylight.
“We want to share an unfortunate incident that happened recently to one of our dedicated supporters,” the group posted to X on Aug. 1. “A security camera captured a woman pulling up to a supporter’s property, jumping out, and stealing a campaign yard sign before speeding off.”
The incident was reported to police.
“We strongly object to and condemn the theft, defacement, or destruction of any campaign signs, regardless of the campaign or candidate,” the Repeal Now group stated. “This incident is the kind of petty, dirty politics that has no place in Alaska. We are all neighbors, and surely we can engage in the political process with maturity, mutual respect, and basic decency.”
Hughes echoed this sentiment.
“No matter where you are on the political spectrum, we all know this is wrong,” she said. “We should win elections with ideas and votes, not intimidation and destruction. Political disagreement is part of our representative democracy; vandalism is not.”
The upcoming rally will be held on Aug. 5, 6 p.m., outside Belle’s Nursery (13700 Speckling Avenue) where one of the reports of the more egregious acts of vandalism occurred.
