SPOKANE VALLEY, WA — On Thursday morning, Spokane Valley Councilwoman Jessica Yaeger made a private post on her Facebook page.
The post, obtained by the Spokesman-Review, sharing a photo, saying in part “I’m a proud Islamaphobe. I hate… Pedophilia, Rape, Wife-Beating, and Slavery…”
As a Spokane Valley Councilmember, Yeager represents all of Spokane Valley, including the Spokane Islamic Center.
Karen Stromgren, who has attended the Spokane Islamic Center for over 20 years, said she saw the post Thursday night.
“I was appalled,” Stromgren said. “Somebody that’s voted into this position should be educated about the community they’re serving.”
Al Merkel, another Spokane Valley City Council member, said he was shocked to hear about the post.
“I was really taken aback and surprised by a pretty appalling comment really,” Merkel said. “Definitely not the kind of thing that I would have wanted to see from any of the elected representatives that represent me.”
The mayor and deputy mayor of Spokane City Council released a statement on Friday morning. They emphasized their belief in freedom of speech while clarifying that Yaeger’s views do not represent the full council or the City of Spokane Valley.
“As leaders of the City of Spokane Valley, we believe in freedom of speech and support the rights of all law-abiding citizens. Councilmember Yaeger’s views are that of her own and do not represent the full Council or City of Spokane Valley.
As we proudly represent the residents of Spokane Valley, we stand firmly united against all forms of discrimination. The City is committed to fostering a community of respect for all citizens, regardless of faith.”
NonStop Local asked Councilmember Merkel if Yaeger’s post violated any policy. He confirmed there is a governance manual with an internet policy, but it likely wouldn’t apply in this case.
“I’m not aware of any rules or regulations that we have that would specifically make her comment some sort of offense,” Merkel said. Also adding, “It’s bad speech, I don’t think it’s something that a council member should say.”
Merkel also says he plans to bring forward an affirmative statement from Spokane Valley City Council, saying that all legal residents are welcome in Spokane Valley.
Non Stop Local also received a statement in response from Councilwoman Yeager:
“I made a post on my private Facebook page, on my own time, on my own account, expressing basic moral truths. I will not apologize for using my First Amendment right to speak plainly, honestly, and without fear. As both a woman and an elected leader, I refuse to stay silent on issues that matter.
Let me be absolutely clear: pedophilia is wrong, rape is wrong, female genital mutilation is wrong. These are not controversial positions. They are universal human rights and truths. Anyone pretending that speaking out against these atrocities is somehow hateful or extreme is being deliberately dishonest.
And the facts back me up. In 2021, the Washington Legislature passed HB 1042, which changed state law so that courts may refuse to apply foreign custody laws when those laws carry a death sentence for apostasy, sincerely held religious belief, or homosexuality. Under the updated RCW 26.27.051, Washington courts now have explicit authority to reject foreign custody decisions when enforcing them would expose a child or parent to severe human-rights violations. The Legislature changed the law in response to a Chelan County custody case that risked sending a little girl to a country whose laws were found by a judge to mistreat women and girls. These are not fringe issues, they are real and documented, and pretending otherwise is irresponsible.
The real problem here is the behavior of the local media. On November 20th, The Spokesman Review contacted me for comment, received a full and direct response, and then published none of it. Today, they reached out again, supposedly to let my voice be heard, fully aware that a correction this late is meaningless. This is exactly why people have lost trust in their newspaper. When the press hides the truth and acts disingenuously to stir outrage, that is not journalism, it is narrative building.
I was elected by the people of Spokane Valley to be straightforward, candid, and unafraid to speak on difficult topics. That is exactly what I will continue to do. I will not be intimidated into silence because my words make some people uncomfortable.
The people of Spokane Valley and Spokane County are smart. They see through manufactured outrage and media manipulation. I am grateful for the overwhelming support from residents who expect honesty, not filtered, cherry picked reporting, from those who claim to speak for the public.
As always, I will continue to serve this community with integrity, courage, and a willingness to speak the hard truths when others will not.”
As for Karen Stromgren, she said the post was ” an assault on a community,” also saying that City Council has a responsibility to represent all people in the city.
“If they are for all of us, they need to be an example for all of us,” Stromgren said.
