Dozens of campaign signs stolen, vandalized with swastikas, tenants’ rights group says

Over the weekend Tacoma for All, the organization leading a campaign to put a tenant’s bill of rights initiative on the November ballot, reported some of its yellow “Vote Yes on Initiative #1” yard signs were vandalized or stolen ahead of a contentious election.

According to volunteers, there were about 24 signs stolen or spray-painted with red swastikas, according to representative Jenn Barfield.

A police report has been filed, and the organization continues to get reports from others who have found Tacoma for All signs removed or vandalized, Barfield said.

Measure 1 seeks to amend the city of Tacoma’s rental housing code to give renters additional rights, including relocation assistance in cases of 5% or more rent increases, the creation of a tenant and landlord code of conduct and a defense against evictions from November through April, among other changes. Some local landlords and developers say those measures go too far and would make the local housing market more unstable, leading to more corporate ownership and higher rents.

Tacoma for All filed a complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission on Oct. 18, alleging the main opposition political action committee and two organizations behind it violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act when fundraising for “No on Measure 1” campaigns.

Sean Martin, CEO of Tacoma-Pierce County Association of Realtors, called the complaint “meritless” and said, “It is an attempt to distract from the flaws of Measure 1.”