Otakon Nazi Rally Opposition Script V1.0

Hello,

It has recently come to my attention that Jason Kessler, organizer of last year’s the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has applied to organize another rally on August 11th-12th of this year at Lafayette Square in Washington DC. If approved, this rally will take place less than a mile away from Otakon, a large and well-established convention celebrating East Asian popular culture, which is scheduled for the same weekend.

In light of this congruence, I want to make it clear that, as an Otakon attendee, I would feel deeply unsafe if Kessler’s rally were to take place. At Kessler’s previous rally, a white supremacist attendee deliberately drove his car into a crowd of people, injuring 19 and killing one. His new rally explicitly celebrates the anniversary of that deadly event and could very well lead to similar acts of violence. As it happens, Otakon will attract crowds of people - many visibly members of groups threatened by white supremacists - in the blocks around the convention center. As someone who plans on mingling with these crowds, I will not feel safe with Kessler’s rally nearby, as it could lead to a repeat of the tragedy at Charlottesville.

Otakon has existed as a peaceful celebration of cultural exchange for more than two decades. Drawing more than 20,000 people annually, it bolsters surrounding businesses, and embodies many of the values that Kessler and his supporters - who garnished their previous gathering with Nazi slogans such as “blood and soil” - are opposed to. Please note as well that East Asian pop culture is especially popular with young people, and that many Otakon attendees will be minors.

[INSERT YOUR OWN COMMENTS HERE TO PERSONALIZE THE LETTER AND EMPHASIZE THAT IT HASN’T BEEN SENT BY A BOT. THIS PART CAN BE BRIEF.]

It is my hope that the National Park Service will take extreme caution in approving their application to hold a rally.

OR

In summary, I am asking that the National Park Service, not approve the permit for Jason Kessler's rally on August 11th-12th of this year. My request is that the National Park Service prioritizes the public safety of those at Otakon, and maintains the area's relationship with this East Asian Culture convention which has returned to the region annually for almost 25 years.

Thank you,

[YOUR NAME]

where you email: https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=4584CFB292DDAEB0ABB612A3F537A5BD55D341804A&r=/nama/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

where you can call (bonus points): (202) 245-4715