Details of the lawsuit brought by Mount Calvary Christian Center against 23rd and Union pot retailer Uncle Ike’s, the state liquor board and the City of Seattle reveal the Central District church’s strategy and shine light onto the business dealings behind Seattle’s second I-502 retail marijuana shop.
Last week, CHS reported on early word of the lawsuit brought against the retailer after less than a month of (very good) business at the corner. In filings with the King County Superior Court, lawyers for Mount Calvary claim that Ike’s proximity to its Joshua Generation Teen Center should have disqualified the I-502 retail application from Ian Eisenberg and his business partners to open at 23rd and Union:
The suit also claims that the church was not given notice of the Ike’s application:
The church may have a case on this front. CHS first reported on Eisenberg’s hopes to acquire a license via the state’s lottery way back in early 2013 but when the state winners were announced this summer, Eisenberg didn’t make the cut. But by late September, Uncle Ike’s, a CHS advertiser, was suddenly ready to get down to business. Eisenberg told CHS he was able to work out an “oh my fucking god” expensive deal to acquire a portion of another company that did luck out in the liquor board’s summer pot license lottery. Eisenberg declined to identify the business partner. The liquor board says that it allows lottery winners to work with the state on changing locations.
Though Eisenberg declined to identify his partners, the legal filings related to the case have brought his co-owners into light. According to an application record from the state, Eisenberg owns one-third of the limited liability corporation behind Ike’s, cheekily named Neighborhood Improvement, LLC. The second third belongs to KC Franks, a man who was somehow lucky enough to win the state’s lottery for two Seattle locations — 112 S Mead and 4919 17th Ave NW. The final third is owned by Patrick Hynes who has been part of a Fremont-based “patient co-op.”
The suit also includes more information on the “teen center” across the street from the church and Ike’s and the resources the facility includes:
Lawyers for the church included the state application material in which the Uncle Ike’s company indicated it was not located near a youth-oriented facility:
The complaint also identifies the new parklet at 25th and Union as a “park for public use” that is within the 1000-foot buffer.
Meanwhile, the complainants also make a freedom of religion claim in the suit:
The case does not yet include a response from Uncle Ike’s, the state or the City of Seattle.
You can see the full complaint, below.
UPDATE (10/30 – 10 AM): CHS has obtained the letter that the state liquor board sent to the mayor’s office to notify the city that Uncle Ike’s was applying for a marijuana retail license at 23rd and Union. The letter is dated July 25th. According to a liquor board official, the mayor’s office did not respond to the letter within the required 20 day window, so the application was allowed to move forward. The state is not required to give any further notification regarding pending marijuana retail licenses under I-502.
This is what the LCB gets for having the screwy licensing rules in the first place (I know, I know, not their fault, but seriously it’s nuts).
It’s not like before Ike’s this area was a sin-free bubble where troubled kids could live out their angst without sight of temptation. Literally across Union street is a liquor store. There is a mini mart across 23rd that also sells alcohol and smokes. Unlike weed, alcohol is physically addictive and does ruin lives. Ike’s has posted security that checks ID before admitting entrance, kids aren’t buying pot at Ike’s. There is no guard at the liquor store or gas station.
@Jon
“Literally across Union street is a liquor store. There is a mini mart across 23rd that also sells alcohol and smokes. Unlike weed, alcohol is physically addictive and does ruin lives. Ike’s has posted security that checks ID before admitting entrance, kids aren’t buying pot at Ike’s. There is no guard at the liquor store or gas station.”
In that vein…I’ve seen the Church’s members cars parked over at the 76 Gas Station on Sundays (and not to mention, clogging nearby side streets, like mine: 24th Ave). No compunctions then?? Prevention of acquiring and consuming alcohol and cigs must be done at the establishments Cashiers/Attendants on duty. Such items can be ‘shoplifted’ if given the chance, unlike when you attempt to go into U.I.’s, you are asked to provide appropriate I.D. (21y/o) or older just to gain entrance. I’ve seen the church kids just run in and out of the 76 gas station/store, by themselves. So, who’s doing more to prevent and protect the kids?? I’m just sayin’…
We get em coming in to use the bathroom on Sundays saying it’s too crowded over at the church when it gets out. It may be time to put up a “Restrooms are for Customers Only sign.” I probably won’t since I don’t take my cues on how to be a good member of the community from the church.
@ Neighbor Lady..
Hold up! Say what!??….Church members??..Going into a ‘den of sin’ of alcohol and beer?..On Sundays!? Taking for granted and advantage..of this legal law-abiding, positive impact on enjoyable local businesses, friendly lil’ watering-hole??? Say it ain’t so!! LOL!!!
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one.
At the very least, this whole situation brings things up that need to be reexamined including the I-502 regulations.
Here are some questions…
1) Why is the church at odds with a legal pot shop but not the drug loitering that happens across the street, the liquor store nearby, or the bar around the corner?
2) There seems to be an address for the Joshua Generation Teen Center but does anyone know if it is operational? Only can find an address but no website, hours of operation, etc. If it’s not, could that fact void the argument?
3) I don’t know. To us, a parklet is a parklet, not a park. Agree or disagree?
Yeah I wonder about that Joshua Generation Teen Center place. I never see people over there in that run-down shack.
Is it even used? What’s the deal with that place?
I’ve seen the place for years but it always looked closed and deserted to me. The sign on it now looks new. I have no idea how long the present sign has been there, but it looks pretty new to me. Never ever seen kids there or even any cars parked at it or anyone coming/going.
Same here. I’ve walked by that place countless times in the past 10 years, and I can’t remember even ONCE seeing anyone using the basketball courts, or even hearing any sort of noise coming from the building. In fact, until this bru-ha-ha, I never even realized the building was owned by the church across the street and just assumed it was either abandoned or unoccupied.
As for the 25th & E. Union parklet that’s a completely bogus complaint, since there’s no way the owners of Uncle Ike’s could have foreseen it’s existence, which, coincidentally, happened on the same day the store opened, although I suppose DPD permitting may have been on-file prior to then.
Well, a newish looking sign is shown on Google Street view, dating from May 2014.
And what is that “Friends of the Children” place just North?
Does a Parklet Count?
In an earlier story at Capitolhillseattle.comAmanda Bryan addressed this question on behalf of the 25th and Union Parklet Team:http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/05/chs-community-post-parklets-creating-mini-spaces-for-community/
Here’s the full text of her position:
Thank you for your thoughtful response – I’d like to take a moment to address this question since it has been one that’s come up quite frequently within the Central Area. After doing some research into this issue, the 25th & Union Parklet team believes it is very unlikely that parklets will be considered “parks” and here is why:
1) The Washington Liquor Control Board is the regulating body which would place limitations on the location of future pot stores in relation to public parks. However, if you look at Definition #17 of the WAC (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=314-55-010) for “Public park”, you’ll see that a park is defined as, “…an area of land for enjoyment of the public, having facilities for rest and/or recreation, such as a baseball diamond or basketball court, owned and/or managed by a city, county, state, federal government, or metropolitan park district.” The key information here is that a space is only deemed a “public park” when it is “owned and/or managed” by a municipal agency. And even though SDOT is the municipal body leading the parklet pilot program, part of the stipulation for installing a parklet is that it be regularly maintained by its host(s). Given that the parklets are being hosted by community orgs & businesses, it is highly unlikely that parklets could be deemed as “public parks”.
2) If you follow that logic through by considering a bench & planter adjacent to the sidewalk BUT installed by a business, that bench & planter are also unlikely to ever be considered a “public park” because they are neither owned or maintained by SDOT.
3) It is important to note that parklets are in no way affiliated with the City of Seattle Parks Dept. because parklets are entirely maintained by the associated parklet hosts (in our case, Cortona Cafe). We’re all just lucky enough to have host businesses/organizations that are willing to foot the cost of regularly maintaining the parklets for the public’s enjoyment.
In summary, we believe there is not a conflict with the location of parklets vs. pot shops because they do not fit the legal definition of a “public park”. I hope this helps to clarify some of the questions/concerns you and others have had on this matter.
Regarding the analysis that parklets aren’t public parks under WSLCB rules because the equipment was donated and the space is maintained by private businesses, I believe the public park definition in WAC 314-55 states that the “area of land” must be owned or maintained by a government agency, not the equipment. http://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=314-55&full=true
The filing papers claim that the “Joshua Generation Teen Center” serves “African American teens”. Is it legal to exclude serving people based on race now? Maybe someone needs to sue the Joshua Generation Teen Center for racial discrimination especially if they are getting taxpayer money or tax-exempt status.
Maybe the “teen center” is the church’s front for selling their own dope.
Why don’t they just pray Ike’s away?
Why can’t this church be more like these guys?? Praise the Lord and pass the joint! http://dopechef.com/2014/08/inside-a-christian-pot-shop/
All of the commentators above miss the point that marijuana has been a scourge of the African-American community for a long time. Statistics regarding marijuana usage among different racial groups are very similar, but African-American youth have been disproportionately targeted and arrested for marijuana possession and sales. Just because we have passed a law declaring it legal, you now expect the African-American community to turn around and say: “Oh, great! Yes, please bring a legal drug shop into our community! It’s legal now so it’s all good!”
Finally, if you read the complaint, part of the church’s ministry involves helping alcoholics and drug addicts recover from their addiction. Pot has played a huge role in the lives of many alcoholics and addicts, both as a “gateway drug” and also a substance that people have become addicted to or dependent on itself. So again, is it surprising that the church doesn’t want a legal pot shop to be operating in close proximity? And for those who question why the church isn’t protesting the illegal drug dealers or the liquor store: liquor has been legal since 1933. That’s 81 years ago. Liquor, like it or not, has been a legal and accepted part of our culture for a long time. It’s not correct to compare liquor to pot, a substance that, until I-502 passed, was illegal to possess under both Washington state and federal law. It should be noted that marijuana possession and distribution is still illegal under federal law. As for “why isn’t the church protesting the drug dealers?” question, protest and civil disobedience are tactics to use against legal actors, such as the state, stores, etc. Civil disobedience and protest aren’t effective techniques against actors who are already operating outside the law.
We voted down prohibition.
If every entity claiming to be a ‘youth center’, or a parking spot with a bench in it can disqualify a store from opening within 1/4 mile, then the drug dealers will just have that much more business….and we lose out on that much more tax revenue.
Some of these are valid points, but they also stem from a prohibitionist mind-set, that, thankfully, has finally been done away with in WA state. Personally, I would be all in favor or a blanket amnesty/pardon for anyone currently incarcerated for minor cannabis-related offenses; obviously, this isn’t a panacea, but it certainly seems fair, give the circumstances.
But, what about the rest of us who live in this community? Last time I checked, there was no law declaring that one group of people who live in a particular part of town to hold sway over their neighbors, and frankly, one MUST challenge this group’s rather disingenuous moral stance, seeing as they’ve done absolutely NOTHING (so far as anyone living near this intersection could tell at least) to oppose the rampant, flagrant drug-dealing that’s occurred here for decades. So, you can perhaps understand why one might question this sudden change-of-heart on their part.
And your argument re: protest and civil disobedience vis-a-vis legal versus illegal actions seems spurious at best. There are MANY things the congregation COULD have done to curb the illegal activities occurring right outside their doors, some of which would be very similar to what they’re doing now, but the fact is, they DIDN’T. They didn’t do ANYTHING so far as I can tell, so again one must question their motives in this regard.
Finally, I would be very interested in seeing these statistics you mention regarding cannabis as a “gateway drug”, as well as rates of addiction; please provide links.
Ah yes, the good ol’ “gateway drug” canard. The Gateway Drug Myth is the result of conflating two separate items: the very real medical condition of drug addiction, and the drugs themselves. So, once more from the top. Drug addiction is a medical condition caused by a wide variety of factors, not least of which is a genetic disposition to addiction to specific drugs. That is, one substance may be very addictive to you, while another is not. The fact remains that like alcohol, most folks can handle marijuana without disrupting their lives and becoming criminals. But due to a wide variety of factors, some folks cannot. There is no shame in that, and of course, I support programs to help treat and manage addiction. But Prohibition assumes everyone has an addict lurking inside them. That the Gateway is there to suck ALL of us into a life of addiction. This is a fiction. How many times must this be expressed? I feel like a broken record here.
Part of treating addiction is helping someone handle the temptation of available drugs that will ruin their lives. If there is an alcoholic treatment center in a given place, shall we shut down any nearby liquor stores because the patients in that center can’t handle it? Or heck, let’s shut down every liquor store in King County because that recovering addict will be traveling all over the place.
And yes, comparing alcohol and marijuana prohibitions is 100% apt and relevant. I could go on and on here, but instead, let me point you to the outstanding Ken Burns documentary Prohibition. You’ll discover that alcohol prohibition came about because of the very real social problems of untreated alcoholism, domestic violence, and poisonous liquors. It all started with the best of intentions…dealing with the social ills of alcoholism. But doesn’t take a PhD in history to start drawing the parallels between the debacle of alcohol prohibition and today’s marijuana prohibition.
The “scourge” of the African American community isn’t marijuana. It’s racism, selective police enforcement of drug laws, lack of adequate health care resources, and on and on. However, I do totally agree with you that it would be silly to protest against drug dealers and their customers who wouldn’t give a hoot about that demonstration.
Anyone that still uses the term “gateway drug” has no real grasp on current society. You are as delusional as this “pastor.”
I have a feeling that Mt. Calvary’s frustration is less about the pot shop itself, and more about it being a symbol of how radically their neighborhood has changed. The inclusion in their suit of the phrase “(has) disrespected this historically African American neighborhood” is quite telling. No doubt, the neighborhood’s transformation into Wallingford South has been very disorientating…and I sympathize with their sense of loss, but I wish they’d stop going all Don Quixote on the pot shop.
Especially, given the fact that this was “traditionally” a predominately Asian and Jewish neighborhood prior to WW-II, before all the Japanese residents were shipped off to interment camps, other Asians moved into the more culturally homogeneous ID, many of the Jewish residents moved to more middle-class neighborhoods, at which point many African Americans from other parts of the country moved in to take advantage of the wartime jobs available in the aircraft and ship-building industries. Sorry Mt. Calvary, but you hold no more claim to this “traditional” neighborhood than did any of your predecessors, going back to the Duwamish Peoples who traipsed through on their way between present-day Puget Sound and HAH-choo (Lake Washington). Guess what? Things change, neighborhoods change; but people who don’t change get left behind.
Wallingford South? Are you kidding me? When I walked through the intersection at 23rd and Union this evening, the only things there were the junky gas station, the run down post office, and the tacky pot shop.
Whatever you may think of the pot shop, it’s not fair to say it’s “tacky”. It’s a very nice, clean, well-constructed building. The store right on the corner (former restaurants) that will be the bong shop isn’t beautiful, of course. But the pot shop itself isn’t tacky, in my opinion.
Does anyone know if shops are grandfathered in to a location if a park, childcare center, etc. opens near them? I understand the Feds have written to the LCB about the 1K ft rule in the past.
That church needs to go. Or at the very least pay property taxes. Very often there is a very nice Mercedes in Witherspoon’s parking spot. It that what Jesus would do. don’t think so. Maybe someone should look into the finances of that tax dodging church.
The church needs to ask itself. Is what they are doing best for this neighborhood. Or, are they doing this because they can’t keep up with the times and just plain don’t like weed. It certainly isn’t to keep pot away from teens. That shop is the last place minors would get weed from and it generates huge taxes that help the community. What has the church done for the community lately? Nothing.
I also think the church is more pissed about not being able to use the parking lot anymore. They’re just a bunch of takers. And as soon as their free ride (or parking in this case) are gone they cry foul. The people have spoken by way of fair elections. Weed is ok. I hope this lawsuit costs them a bunch of money and they loose the case and their tax exempt status for getting involve in politics.
I think it may have something to do with the “leadership” of the church trying to put on a good show to save face, as they seem to have been caught totally unawares of everything going on around them. Claiming “unfair/victim!” is a convenient way to deflect attention from that and look relevant to what’s going on around you. Where were they before? It’s not like Ike’s building grew overnight like a mushroom. They had plenty of time to protest or make noise before it opened. They never did.
Just goes to show how far from involved in this neighborhood they are. I’ll be most members of that church don’t even live nearby. The church sits empty most of the time. And, I never see anyone at that “Teen Center.”
This filing brings up a very good point which is being ignored by much of the discourse around marijuana legalization.
1) marijuana users are still in the MINORITY
2) the majority voted for it, because although many are anti-drug, they don’t believe people should be jailed for marijuana and they know that laws have historically been enforced more against communities of color
3) the majority voted for it with the understanding that many different exceptions and rules would be followed such as no smoking marijuana in public, no sales next to teen centers, etc. The problem here is that the authorities made all sorts of paper promises to bring in the law and the tax revenues but do not enforce the laws. Few tickets have been issued for public consumption, violating the rights of those of use who don’t use drugs and don’t wish to use drugs. Sales are being conducted near youth centers. I cheer on the church, and hope this lawsuit leads to enforcement of the written provisions so that stoners (and those that need the medical benefits) can enjoy their dope while letting the rest of us have our own rights.
I agree that those who promoted I-502 resorted to some pretty sketchy arguments in order to get it passed. In addition to what you mention, one of the major arguments was that legalization would significantly undercut the black market. This has not happened and is unlikely to happen in the future, as long as there is a large price discrepancy between the price at the retail stores and on the street.
@ Calhoun
Take a look at the ‘folks’ who promoted/supported legalization. Pretty impressive list. http://www.newapproachwa.org/content/502-endorsements
And where is your proof that the ‘black market’ isn’t being chipped away at?? With the revenues/taxes being made off ‘legal’ pot, the State couldn’t be happier! This thing is a ‘gravy train with biscuit wheels’. The people who are buying pot legally, apparently DO NOT want to buy from ‘shady individuals/thugs/hustlers’..that fact is being proved the by Sales #’s off legal weed sales. For those who continue to buy from ‘black market’ sources; they get what they get and all that follows in dealing in that environ. The predominately Caucasian
clientele that buys at legal shops have no compunctions about where and who they’re buying from. I’m just sayin..
Well, of course the black market will be impacted, but I think it will still flourish as long as there is such a price differential. It would be interesting to know what percentage of retail shop customers used the black market prior to legalization….my guess is that many of them did not, and did not use pot on a regular basis (or at all) because it was illegal…..and so this group would be “new” pot users, and therefore would have no negative impact on the black market.
I’m pissed they keep saying “community” like they mean everyone in the area when it is clear they mean “christian” black people who pay offerings on sunday to my new car fund.
I’m tired of the “historically black area” nonsense as an asian person in the area who’s been spit on for living there and “taking over the neighborhood”.
I’m annoyed with the talk about drugs and morality when the liquor store, gangbanging corner slangers, gas station mini mart and plenty of other establishments in the area have been far less concerned about legal standards without a peep from mr.moneybags churchleader.
I’m amused by the continued argument that this was supposed to wipe out black market sales overnight – open your eyes and get a clue and stop being so purposely obtuse. When the LCB taxes that hard and has a lotto system in place, the prices are not going to come down overnight and neither will prohibition. Everyone voted this in with the understanding that legalization was the first step – none of this was a secret.
If the church goers and whomever else want to really be a part of the community, respect the LAW as it was voted in by the MAJORITY of the population, and continue to operate in your above-the-law, tax-exempt status and count your stars that we still lend so much credence to skyward boogeymen in this country.
*applause*. Well said.
Mt Calvary Church is a JOKE. This guy parks on a CROSS for crying out loud. His big, NEW Mercedes parked on a cross. They do not pay any taxes, yet they want to shut down a legal TAX PAYING business that has actually brought security to that corner! The congregation is just pissed because they have to walk their fat asses a bit farther now because they can’t use the Uncle Ike parking lot anymore.
I call for a protest of Mt. Calvary and their message of hate. We voted for this law and now is our time to stand up for our city and state rights!
I think the profit the Reverend has made off this needs to come to an end. I for one refuse to sit buy and watch HIS pockets grow any further!!!
YES!
My sentiments exactly! Thank you.
I’m a 29yr resident of this neighborhood, if that matters.
For the record, the Central District was also a historically Jewish neighborhood and a historically Japanese neighborhood before it became a historically Afro-American neighborhood. The neighborhood is culturally diverse due to the flux of history, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Can’t help but wonder if that parklet that nobody asked for and Chuck’s turned down is just some sort of tea total-er’s way of blocking pot stores for the area. Would not be surprised.
What parklet are we talking about?
The one at 25th and Union.
That’s what I thought. That one has been in the works for a long time.
that parklet was a community driven process, led by some dedicated individuals, that a lot of neighbors wanted and supported
The 25th and Union Parklet team believes there is no conflict between the location of parklets and pot shops, principally because parklets are not managed by the city. A story with more detail was posted by Amanda Bryan and Karen Estevenin earlier this year: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2014/05/chs-community-post-parklets-creating-mini-spaces-for-community/
[…] Check out this article by CHS for more coverage regarding the lawsuit. […]
Historically Black? What about historically native american?
What if you stopped brainwashing children in your obviously discriminatory ‘teen center?’
What if the good reverend who once chaplain for the SFD sold off his fancy car, his worldly possessions, and began living his life like Jesus?
What if instead the congregation cast aside all of that nonsense and renounced religion?
Get over yourselves bible-thumpers, this isn’t the deep south.
20+ years in the CD –
That church needs to go. Or at the very least pay property taxes. Very often there is a very nice Mercedes in Witherspoon’s parking spot. It that what Jesus would do. don’t think so. Maybe someone should look into the finances of that tax dodging church.
Jim98122x –
I think it may have something to do with the “leadership” of the church trying to put on a good show to save face, as they seem to have been caught totally unawares of everything going on around them. Claiming “unfair/victim!” is a convenient way to deflect attention from that and look relevant to what’s going on around you. Where were they before? It’s not like Ike’s building grew overnight like a mushroom. They had plenty of time to protest or make noise before it opened. They never did.
I think you are both right! Lack of leadership is needed. Why is Mr. Witherspoons’ driving a nice Mercedes, preaching all these LIES?! Why are all the church followers giving us (uncle Ike’s security guys) the stink eye after Sunday mass? Why are women and children looking down on us? Is that what the church preaches?? We don’t glare or stare down at you when you pull in our private parking lot to disembark you’re families for Sunday mass. For the record, my guys do attend mass. In fact the day of the original protest, my door guy commented that by hearing the sermon next door made it sermon number 3!!! And from his point of view, he felt embarrassed that another church goer would play politics.
So again, it comes down to lack of leadership or lack of backbone.
Mr. Witherspoons caved into the protest after receiving heat from other fellow church groups. They had a chance to buy the land and one church member personally told me on the day of the protest, that they blew it by not buying it when it was up for grabs. At this point, they are playing politics hiding behind the cross and that, doesn’t get more disrespectful than that. In my opinion, I say the church has 2 options. Drop the non-profit status and start paying taxes. You want to act like a business, then start contributing like a business and perhaps obsorb the cost of moving to a different location. If that’s not a good enough option, then replace Mr. Witherspoons and put a REAL leader who will preach love, peace and harmony. Advice his followers to smile and look the other way. Learn to respect private property and not be a hypocrite by protesting the very same business he uses to unload his family every Sunday. As a Christian, I’m embarrassed for you and pray for ALL you protesters. Beg for forgiveness and start acting like adults. Real Leaders come to the table and talk and negotiate. They don’t protest and send out press-releases.
I am starting to hear horror stories about dealing with LCB now and trying to operate any business related to legalized mj. I was just told the lab they are using has rejected over 80% of the pot sent to them so far. It has to 0% particles of bacteria, mold, etc.. Can anyone confirm this. Sounds insane and quick way to bankrupt most of the growers.
Someone needs to tell the Liquor Control Board to proofread their application package. In fact, this is a great technicality Ike’s could use to have this case dismissed. To wit:
PREMISE DESCRIPTION:
Is your premise within 1000 ft of a (sic) elementary secondary school or playground, …etc? ” NO”
Premise: (n): a statement of facts upon which a complaint is based or on which reasoning proceeds.
Premises: (n): a tract of land including its buildings; a building together with its grounds or other appurtenances.
Uncle Ike’s location isn’t a premise. It’s a PREMISES.
Their “premise” was ‘we intend to open a legal pot shop’.
So as long as they filled out their application more than 1000 ft away from the youth center, they were correct on their application.
Ha! :-)
Case dismissed. LOL.
[…] lawsuit: The lawsuit against Uncle Ike’s marijuana shop is […]
SUNDAY OCT 19TH 2014 OMARI TAHIR CAUGHT IAN EISENBERG STEALING HIS PROTEST SIGNS. OMARI ON BICYCLE INTERCEPTED THE THIEF AND DEMANDED HIS SIGNS. EISENBERG DROPPED THE SIGNS AND STOOD ON THEM AND DEMAND OMARI GET OFF HIS PROPERTY. OMARI RESPONDED ” EVERYONE KNOWS THIS IS NATIVE AMERICAN PROPERTY AND IAN YOU ARE A ‘COLUMBUS TYPE EUROPEAN SETTLER / OCCUPIER COLONIAL TERRORIST’. EISENBERG THEN ORDERED HIS GOON TO PUT OMARI OFF “HIS” PROPERTY. EISENBERG AND HIS GOON THEN PHYSSICALLY ASSAULTED OMARI. OMARI AS USUAL NEUTRALIZED THE ATTACK AND EIXENBERG THEN CALLED THE POLICE THAT WERE PARKED ON 24TH AND UNION BESIDES THE HISTORIC LIBERTY BANK? THE POLICE REFUSED TO RESPOND WHEN IN FORMED THAT THE PERSON HE WANTED REMOVED FROM HIS PROPERTY WAS, “OMARI TAHIR THE ONE WHO KNOCKED OUT MAYOR SCHELL” ON THE SAME CORNER. THE POLICE PARKED AROUND THE CORNER ON THE SAME BLOCK REFUSED TO RESPOND UNTIL EISENBERG HAD GIVEN OMARI’S PROTEST SIGNS BACK TO HIM.
OMARI HAS FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR BOARD AND DEMANDED A COPY OF THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO SHOWING THE ASSAULT. OMARI IS ALSO REQUESTING A COPY OF THE 911 CALL TO SEATTLE POLICE PENDING FILING OF FEDERAL RICO RACKETEERING LAW SUIT AGAINST IAN EISENBERG, UNCLE IKE’S, THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND THE WASHINGTON STATE LIQUOR BOARD. STAY TUNED, IAN AND HIS GOON SHOULD HAVE NEVER EVER ATTACKED OMARI FOR PROTESTING EISENBERG’S ILLEGAL DOPE STORE NEXT TO A CHURCH???
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BUSINESS FOR THE HIGHLANDS OFF 145TH AND AURORA, BROADMOOR, MADISON PARK, SEWARD PARK ETC, WHERE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD FOR THEIR MONEY TO “GO UP IN SMOKE”???. AS FAR AS A “WEED AND SEED” CRIME STORE ON 23RD AND UNION??? ONLY A COMMUNITY OUTSIDER, DESTROYER, “WANNA BE GENTRIFIER / EHTNIC CLEANSER LIKE IAN OR A “CIRCUS CLOWN” WOULD ATTEMPT TO ADD TO THE MURDER COUNT ON THIS BLOCK CURRENTLY AT 6 (LARRY WARD 1970, CHICAGO NATIVE 1990s (IN FRONT OF HELEN’S / THOMPSON’S VIEW POINT / NEIGHBOR LADIES, BOTH OWNERS OF FORMER BUSINESS BEFORE MED MIX (ARSON FIRE ENDING) ONE OWNER MURDERED INSIDE BUILDING THE OTHER NEAR BY (1990s), AARON ROBERTS (2001), AND KEVIN BROWN (2014),
WOW WHAT HISTORY NOT INCLUDING THE “FERGUSON STYLE” RIOTING ON THIS CORNER (1968, 1969) AND FORMER MAYOR PAUL SHELL’S ACCIDENT (2001)??? TWO SAYINGS APPLY, ONE “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, YOU JUST MIGHT GET IT” AND TWO, “THOSE THAT DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY ARE BOUND TO REPEAT IT”. 23RD AND UNION HAS BEEN / IS THE CENTER OF AFRICATOWN / CD SINCE THE 1950s. HOW WOULD I KNOW??? BEEN LIVING WITH IN 15 BLOCKS OF 23RD AND UNION SINCE 1946 INCLUDING DIRECTLY BEHIND POST OFFICE ON 24TH. PLEASE RESEARCH AND THEN FILE LAWSUIT AS TO HOW IAN ENDED UP WITH “WEED AND SEED” STORE WITH OUT WINING “WEED LOTTERY’???? STAY TUNED THE BATTLE IS AT THE STARTING LINE BUT THE END IS VERY EASY TO SEE??? NO ONE BUT A FOOL WOULD BE FORE A “WEED AND SEED” CRIME STORE TO ADD TO THE CONFLICT ON UNION?? TEAR DOWN THE “WEED STORE” NOT LIBERTY BANK??????? “IT TAKES A VILLAGE (AFRICATOWN AND CHINATOWN) TO RAISE A CHILD”. SEE YOU ON THE CORNER OF 23RD AND UNION DAILY. Omari Tahir, FOUNDER / PRESIDENT AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM AND CULTURE CENTER, AFRICATOWN / CHINATOWN SUPPORTER.
Reply ↓
Omari Tahir on Monday, September 29, 2014 – 1:31 am said:
BY THE WAY DON’T FORGET TO CONTACT THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE AND YOUR LAWYER ABOUT THIS ASININE IDEA TO PUT A “WEED AND SEED” CRIME STORE ON 23RD AND UNION WHILE POLITICIANS WALK THE STREETS AGAINST CRIME AND WASTE MORE TAX DOLLAR$$$$$ HIRING 100 MORE UPRODUCTIVE TAX DRAINING ANGRY AND VIOLENT GOVERNMENT STREET AGENTS WITH GUNS AND BADGES WITH LITTLE EDUCATION (MEDICAL DOCTOR WITH OPERATING KNIFE AND ONLY HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA)??? WHAT ABOUT HIRING 100 MORE TEACHERS FOR MADRONA, LESHI, STEVENS, WASHINGTON, MEANY, GARFIELD ECT WITH COLLEGE DEGREES (MASTERS AND PHDs FOR CHEAPER PRICE??? Omari Tahir
It may “TAKE A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD”, but it only takes 1 person to see you are a seriously crazy mother-fucker. SHOULD I WRITE THAT IN ALL CAPS???
When Omari posts his crazy, it is almost like an official “thread closed” message.
[…] for a closure of the marijuana store as it claims the store should have never been permitted because of its close proximity to a teen center the church operates across the street and other facilities like a parklet nearby at 25th and […]
I walked by the pot shop the first day it was open and the church thugs looked at me and said “looks like we got another one.”
All I see is a church using any BS they can to obstruct a business while they label and define what the weed store is and who/what the customers are. They call the owner a criminal and advocate that he be thrown in prison. Being that I’m “another one,” Labeled and defined by the church, I guess I cant get my soul saved by Mount Calvary Christian Center. Maybe I will label them as anti-freewill, and willing to stereotype me, if not racist and abusive. I hear rumor they were spitting on people. Beware of the way they behave. These people are not willing to let me be myself, they do not respect me, I don’t see how that is community worth having.
I doubt having a weed store will affect them much in reality.
Omari called me a name for when I walked by him one evening. Omari is happy to label and define me as well, mostly because I have white skin. I think he anti-Jew as well judging by his crazy protest signs. He is posting the above comment he made all over the place. He regularly confronts people for doing their job, trying to exist, etc… and calls them racist names and insults them. Omari is a separatist racist bully.
Some blacks are also pissed that the cops have cracked down some on the drug dealing at 23 and Union, and view the pot shop somewhat as a racial attack.
So far I have not heard an opinion worth listening to about the pot shop. I just see oppressors oppressing people.
I’d like to retract what I said about the spitting, its just a rumor off of another site. I’m wrong to repeat it.
Political topics are pretty hot sometimes, racism, feminism, blah blah… I think its all the labeling and telling people what they are and cant do that is really what I’m starting to see.
Its safer and financially less of a burden to obtain Cannabis than we have ever had in Washington. I’d bet we have slightly less crime because of it and a LOT less people in jail or experiencing hardships for smoking a bowl. Cannabis does have issues, but criminalizing it is no solution, it is prohibition and that’s how people are starting to see it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S967EiEK4R4
The church here threatens and advocates that the feds may throw the owner in jail. When the church makes veiled threats they are losing me, who is disrespecting who?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kil6oV0QOA
Here is a video of Omari abusing a Johnson Controls worker.
This is not respectable behavior.
Kids know what pot is, middle school kids know what pot is. I think its lame having all those bongs on display, and that it will affect kids more than the weed shop. Then again, you can buy a pipe at the convenience stores too, maybe even crack pipes.
CD kids largely will not be buying from the weed store, its to expensive. The headshop may glamorize weed because of the flashy high-visibility glass on display, and I think that’s about the most solid point you could make.
Kids CAN’T buy from Uncle Ike’s; his security checks ID’s.
[…] church also pursued it’s legal options, filing a lawsuit against the owners of Neighborhood Improvement LLC (Uncle Ike’s), the City […]