Peace vigil held after vandalism at business tied to hate group controversy

LAKE STEVENS, Wash. — A peace vigil was held in Lake Stevens Sunday after community outrage over a local business’s alleged connection to a hate group.

During the gathering, the mayor condemned hate.

Razzals Sports Bar and Grill in Lake Stevens, which rejected claims it supports hate groups, reopened Sunday after closing for two days because of safety concerns.

Many people are angry and some are calling for a boycott of the business but others met at the park gathering, rejecting hate.

During the peace vigil, the city’s mayor said, “speak up and call it out.”

State Representative John Lovick was also in attendance.

The message Sunday as many held candles was, hate does not belong in the Lake Stevens.

“Hate isn’t welcome in our community,” said newly elected Lake Stevens council member Anji Jorstad. She was one of the organizers for the so-called “Peace Vigil” at Lundeen Park.

“There were accusations that one of the local businesses was allowing a hate group to host their monthly meetings,” Jorstad said.

That claim involved Razzals Sports Bar and Grill and the “Proud Boys” group.

Police said the business was vandalized Friday with anti-hate graffiti.

On the same day, there was a dumpster fire outside the business. Investigators did not rule out arson. The business closed for two days after that.

“That really, I think, brought everything to a head,” Jorstad said.

The business put on its Facebook page that its ownership “does not condone or side with any groups or organizations that promote violence, racial or sexual bias of any kind.”

“We need to reject anger. We need to reject hatred. We need to reject bitterness and we need to reject fear and this is a warm, welcoming and wonderful community, and I’m here to make sure we do that.”

KIRO 7 reached out to the owner of Razzals Sports Bar and Grill but has not heard back.

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