Due process important

I currently have a No Trespass Order against me by the Bainbridge Island School District that blocks me from “all properties” including natural places like the Grand Forest or community events like the Mochi festival or auction. The explanation given is “safety”, which is the typical American excuse for doing away with civil rights.

The district and the school board, and the chief of police and the city refuse to offer me any due process to challenge this. The school board members have refused to reach out and have a conversation, refused to agree to mediation or schedule a requested 4220p conference. Olympia forced them to hold a private school board meeting, but I wasn’t able to attend because of two days’ notice and the trespass order.

I have no criminal record or history of violence or child abuse; my background check is clean and exceeds the levels of most district employees because I’m a 25+ year professional in social services and education. I have met in person with the Bainbridge Island chief of police, and was told they have “no issues with me”, but they won’t process my hate crime complaint. The Bainbridge (Race Equity Advisory Committee) won’t meet with me or process my complaints and two Bainbridge mayors have agreed to meetings, then backed out.

No one on Bainbridge should be removed from the community without due process, regardless of how unpopular or unwanted. I would appreciate the community’s help accessing due process and civil rights that we supposedly all value and possess.

Joe Benoliel

Bainbridge Island