Campaign worker in Mill Creek neighborhood cites racial overtones during confrontation

MILL CREEK, Wash. — A campaign worker who was out canvassing for votes in a Mill Creek neighborhood last weekend said he feared for his safety while he was confronted by a resident who did not want him in the area.

Julian Jackson, who is of mixed race, told KOMO News Tuesday that he was so frightened by the encounter with the man he pulled out his cell phone and started taping the interaction in an effort to help document and de-escalate the confrontation.

"I think he solely approached me cause of how I looked," he said while sitting outside a coffee shop in Mill Cree Tuesday. "I'm a Black Ecuadorian man. There is no reason for him to approach me other than the way I look."

Jackson said the moment he parked his car to began canvassing for State Rep. April Berg, whose 44th legislative district now includes the May Pond area, he was approached by the man on bicycle and told him he needed to leave.

Jackson said he told the man repeatedly that he was there to canvass for the legislator because he was field director for Berg's re-election campaign.

The campaign worker said said he told the man he was continue with his work and the man should continue on with his morning bike ride.

But Jackson said the man grew agitated, throwing his bike to the ground and approaching Jackson, who immediately began recording the incident.

The near four minute video starts with the man walking towards Jackson while holding up a middle finger.

"Get out of my (expletive) neighborhood," the man says before Jackson replied with "I would like you to stay away from me."

"Get out!" the man said.

"You don't own the neighborhood," Jackson said. "I'm doing my job!"

I do not. You're correct," the man said. "But I don't want you here."

During the exchange, Jackson is heard telling the man he was exhibiting threatening behavior.

"I took several steps backwards (and) I whipped out my phone because documentation is important especially for someone who looks like me," Jackson said to KOMO News. "I need to have evidence that I didn't do anything wrong."

The man identifies himself on the recording and KOMO News went to his house for comment. His wife said he was at work and not at home.

As of Tuesday evening, the man has not responded to requests from KOMO News for comment.

Berg posted the video on her Twitter page because she said she wants people to be aware, and reinforce the idea, that behavior of this type is unacceptable.

The confrontation happened near the home of Berg, who lives nearby, as well as Jackson, who grew up in Mill Creek.

"For me speaking with Julian after it happened, watching video and talking to him about the interaction, it was not political," Berg said. "It was racial."

Jackson called the lawmaker from the neighborhood after the man told Jackson that he would be watching from his front yard to make sure the campaign worker did not contact any of his neighbors.

"The one moment I am still struck by is this person saying he represents his neighbors," Berg said. "I truly believe this was racial and not political."

Jackson is a graduate of Northcreek High School and a political science and psychology major at Hampton University. He chose not to file a police report, saying it wasn't worth it.

He said, however, he thinks it is important to share the video and his story to raise awareness.