Elementary school principal says swastika is 'symbol of peace' in some religions — and backlash is swift



The backlash was swift after an elementary school principal in Washington state said the swastika is a "symbol of peace" in some religions — and now the principal is on administrative leave.

A swastika was found Monday on a wall at Phantom Lake Elementary School in Bellevue, KOMO-TV reported. After the discovery, the school district said Principal Heather Snookal sent two messages, KIRO-TV reported.

'To me, it is the most warped version of inclusion we could come up with to ask Jewish families in this day and age to be tolerant of the swastika.'

In her first message — a school text alert — the principal wrote that such "symbols of hate" have surfaced in their school and that the swastika was removed immediately, KOMO said, adding that the principal also encouraged families to communicate with their children the importance of respecting others and standing up against hate.

Hours later, parents shared with KOMO an email from the principal with the subject line: "Follow-up on recent incident and cultural awareness." The station said the principal in the email apologized for not acknowledging in her initial text alert that while a swastika is often associated with hate and intolerance, it's important to acknowledge the swastika also has deep historical and cultural significance in other parts of the world. She also thanked members of the community for bringing it to her attention, the station added.

KOMO noted that the principal wrote, in part:

In Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other ancient cultures, the swastika is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good fortune. We recognize that for many of our families, this symbol has a positive and spiritual meaning, completely unrelated to the hateful associations it took on in more recent history.

As a school committed to inclusivity and cultural understanding, we want to ensure that our students from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and celebrated. We also want to make sure our community is educated about the diverse meanings and histories behind symbols like the swastika so that we can all avoid misunderstandings that could inadvertently marginalize or hurt our students.

The station said several parents called the second message "unacceptable," that they told her so in an email, and that some planned to meet with her Monday after school. But KOMO said it learned before the end of the school day that the Bellevue School District put the principal on administrative leave and launched an investigation.

The station noted the following statement from the district:

There is absolutely no place for hate in the Bellevue School District. In a time where words and symbols are used to divide us, we are working with administrators, staff, and students to call our community in for courageous conversations to affirm each other’s cultures, beliefs, and identities.

We share in the burden and pain that our Jewish families feel regarding the rise in antisemitism locally and across our country. Bellevue, like other districts, has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, particularly this past year, and we are taking action to address it. Vandalism on a playground using a swastika is antisemitic and goes against our district’s commitment to building what Dr. King championed as 'The Beloved Community' — a place where people truly care for one another, and there is no hunger, poverty, or hate.

Superintendent Aramaki recently sent out a blog post sharing his commitment to addressing antisemitism in our district. This incident will be investigated and addressed according to our policies and procedures. We acknowledge the pain that every incident like this has on our whole community, but especially on our Jewish community.

Tirzah Dondanville, a parent with two daughters at the school, told KOMO that "there is no reason why a symbol of hatred should be on our school grounds or given any equivocation. To me, it is the most warped version of inclusion we could come up with to ask Jewish families in this day and age to be tolerant of the swastika."

But another parent told KIRO that the principal "is not erasing what happened to the Jewish community whatsoever. Because you know we all know about it. We all know what happened. But like she said, many symbols do mean different things for different cultures, so we cannot disassociate what one person did and forget what this symbol means to everyone else."

You can view a video report here about the controversy.

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Video shows the fatal 100 mph crash that drove a Chinese national to flee the country



A Chinese national facing vehicular homicide charges in Bellevue, Washington, has fled the United States, leaving a body, a wrecked sports car, and an international scandal in her wake.

The Bellevue Police Department responded to a single-vehicle crash on 108th Avenue NE near the interchange with State Route 520 on Sept. 30. First responders found a dead male at the scene, 27-year-old Chinese national Yabao Liu.

Ting Ye, 26, identified as the driver, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to charging documents, both police and firefighters at the scene said Ye's breath reeked of booze, reported the Bellevue Reporter.

Ye appears to have been driving recklessly and speeding well over 90 mph in a 35 mph zone when she lost control of the 2020 Porsche 911 around 3:45 a.m., slammed into a concrete barrier, then went airborne.

BPD spokesman Seth Tyler suggested that the car was likely going in excess of 100 mph, reported the Daily Mail.

Footage of the incident captured by traffic cameras show the Porsche whip by at a breakneck speed, then begin to issue clouds of rubber dust while skidding perilously through an intersection. The Porsche slams sideways into a concrete barrier, then cartwheels through the air and into a ditch.

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After allegedly flouting the laws of the land and putting her passenger in the ground, Ye refused to cooperate with detectives. This refusal, coupled with the apparent inability of investigators to talk to the medics until a week after the incident, delayed efforts to establish probable cause for the Chinese national's arrest.

Although an investigator put in a request with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on Oct. 6 for Ye's arrest, she apparently was already scheming to get out of the country. That same day, she got out of the hospital, although it remains unclear whether she had help in doing so.

On Oct. 9, Ye had an acquaintance get her out of state and into Vancouver, Canada.

Although prosecutors filed the case on Oct. 10, requesting a $2 million bail and demanding that Ye turn over her passport and stay in Washington, she had already caught a flight back to China, reported the Seattle Times.

"At that point, she was not free to leave, but she had already left," said BPD spokesman Seth Tyler.

A conviction for vehicular homicide could land Ye up to 8.5 years in jail should she ever be brought back to face justice.

There is presently a national warrant for Ye's arrest, meaning that if she returns to the U.S., she will be flagged. However, unless she attempts to do so, she'll likely get off scot-free, as China and the U.S. do not have an extradition treaty.

Tyler indicated police are applying for an Interpol Red Notice so that countries that do have extradition treaties with the U.S. would flag her if she passes through.

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke said, "The story is not over," reported the Daily Mail.

"Yes, she was able to elude the arrest warrant, but if she were to ever travel to another country, let's say to Europe on business or pleasure to an area, to a country that does have an extradition treaty with the United States she'll be flagged when she enters that country by Interpol and subject to extradition back to the United States if the United States government so desires," said Locke.

Tyler suggested that "this case has gained an intense interest in China," adding he expects "we'll hear more on that."

"Our plea to [Ye] is that she return and realize that there’s a grieving family involved here," said Tyler. "They really need closure on this. ... She can bring this matter to a close by returning to the United States."

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'Brazen' and brainless: Teen rips off $18,000 in Louis Vuitton merchandise, runs to store exit, knocks himself unconscious after slamming into glass door



A 17-year-old thief picked the wrong day to leave his brains at home.

The youngster was caught on surveillance video ripping off $18,000 in merchandise from a Louis Vuitton store in Bellevue, Washington, running for the exit — and then knocking himself unconscious after slamming into the store's glass door.

What are the details?

It isn't clear when the broad-daylight caper occurred, but KOMO-TV ran a story about it Oct. 27.

Fox News, citing police, said the suspect grabbed handbags worth $18,000 off displays and tried to run from the store.

The problem for the perp? A door was in his way, and he apparently didn't see it.

So he ran headlong into the plate glass and knocked himself out, KOMO said.

“Brazen is the perfect word for it,” Bellevue Police Captain Rob Spingler added to the station.

Prosecutors told KOMO the teen was part of a retail theft ring that includes a convicted killer and career thief.

The teen's name wasn't released because he is a juvenile, Fox News said.

Police on Tuesday told TheBlaze the teen was arrested and then released to a family member.

Raw Video: Man knocks himself out trying to flee store with luxury stolen goods | New York Post youtu.be

How are folks reacting?

Twitter observers had more than their fair share of fun commenting on the young crook's misadventures:

  • "Perfect payback for the punk!!" one user exclaimed.
  • "Hilarious!" another user announced.
  • "His family will likely now sue the store," another commenter theorized.
  • "I could watch that video over n over," another user said.
  • "Clean windows … greatest crime stopper ever," another commenter wrote.

Others didn't find as much humor in it:

  • "Glad the Democrats that 'lead' this state are stopping this..." another commenter said sarcastically.
  • Another use wrote that officials "will have this criminal released within hours. It’s called restorative justice."

Councilwoman punches cop in the back of his head as officers investigate stabbing in her home, police say



A councilwoman from the Pittsburgh suburb of Bellevue faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest after police said she punched a police officer in the back of the head during a stabbing investigation in her home over the weekend.

What are the details?

Officers were called around 3:47 a.m. Saturday to Sumner Avenue in Bellevue over reports of a man who had stabbed himself, WXPI-TV reported.

Arriving police told the station they found John Miller standing in the home's doorway with a towel wrapped around his right leg; police said he was bleeding on the floor.

One officer who entered the home's kitchen to further investigate found two knives and puddles of blood on the floor, WXPI said. That officer met Bellevue Borough councilwoman Sabreena Miller near the bathroom, the station said.

That officer said she came at him, told him to get out of her house, and asked why he was there, WXPI said, citing police documents

The officer told her that he was called there and said her husband was bleeding from a stab wound at the front door, the station reported. The officer also said he smelled alcohol on Sabreena Miller’s breath as she began to push him and scream at him that he had no right to be there, WXPI added.

Police also noticed there were scratch marks on her neck, the station said.

What happened next?

Sabreena Miller allegedly punched the officer in the back of the head, WTAE-TV reported, adding that a criminal complaint indicates she and police struggled before she was handcuffed and arrested. Court documents said both officers were required to secure and arrest her, WXPI reported.

Sabreena Miller is being held at Allegheny County Jail and faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest, WXPI reported, adding that John Miller faces simple assault charges due to the scratches on his wife’s neck.

Bellevue Borough Council's solicitor told WTAE the council can’t comment on criminal investigations.

Kathy Coder, a former colleague of the 29-year-old councilwoman, shared the following statement with WTAE: "I am saddened to hear about Sabreena’s behavior and the altercation. Sabreena is a talented young woman who has been highly engaged in the community and has made many positive contributions to Bellevue. Hopefully, she and John will use this as a learning experience and will seek help, as needed, so these types of issues will not plague them and impede their bright future. Many people believe in them and will always be there to support them."

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