By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – A confrontation over a parking spot between the owners and employees of two restaurants in Sequim last weekend has escalated into accusations of racism and bigotry that now has Josh Armstrong, the owner of Blondie’s Plate on 2nd Avenue, the target of an organized protest on June 19, or Juneteenth.
KONP spoke to Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crain. She says the department can’t comment on an ongoing investigation, although charges are being considered
However, much is being written on social media about the incident from both sides, and they agree on certain things.
Amalia Awawda owns the Sequim Kabob House along with her husband Jim, serving Middle Eastern food. She left work and found her car had been blocked by an employee of Blondie’s Plate in such a way that she could not move her car. There apparently had been previous disputes about who had the right to park in that space.
The employee from Blondie’s and her friends reportedly watched and laughed as the woman struggled to get out. Jim Awawda arrived on the scene and a shouting match ensued between him and employees from Blondie’s.
Reports say someone brandished a metal pipe, someone else held a kitchen knife, and many threats were made. By all accounts, racist remarks were directed at the Awawdas. The worst of the confrontation apparently ended when police arrived.
Joshua Armstrong, the owner of Blondie’s, claims he was elsewhere on the property and only became aware of the situation when police arrived. He has since apologized for the actions of his employees on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
But a backlash has occurred since the incident, with many calling for a boycott of the restaurant and Armstrong’s other businesses. Several former employees of the restaurant have posted on their social media accounts stories of sexual harassment, including unwanted touching, that is tolerated at the restaurant. They also claim that racist behavior and language is systemic among staff and ownership.
One former employee posted a photo of a whiteboard sign he says was hung in the kitchen that reads, “Lots of hate speech welcome here”.
A Juneteenth rally, already planned for 6:00 on Saturday in downtown Sequim, now includes plans to march to Blondie’s Plate restaurant for testimonies from former employees and customers of the business.