Tacoma protesters not entitled to scare my kids just because my husband’s a councilman

It was the Saturday evening of Labor Day weekend, just before 8 p.m. I heard the drums first, then the shouting. It took only a few seconds to realize that a protest was coming to my front door.

In less than a minute, the noise got louder, and everyone was right outside. A voice came over a bullhorn demanding my spouse come outside to “talk.”

My husband, Tacoma City Council member Conor McCarthy, was snuggled on the couch with our nine-year-old son watching a movie. He ran upstairs to change out of the dirty tee he wore for yard work and to run comb through his hair.

As he dashed up the stairs to our bedroom, another announcement came over the bullhorn. “We see you upstairs Council Member McCarthy. We know you’re home.”

Conor walked out our front door barefoot, wearing a clean tee and shorts, to meet the approximately 75 people gathered in front of our home.

I scurried our two boys, 9 and 11, upstairs. I don’t know why really, but in the moment, it felt safer.

We opened a bedroom window facing the street and listened. The boys and I watched and paced as Conor spent 45 minutes outside with the protesters.

I felt helpless. My family’s privacy and sense of safety were being violated. My children were scared and confused, and all I could do was watch. I told my kids, “It’s OK. Dad’s going to be fine. We’re safe.” But I didn’t really know if I believed myself.

I didn’t know the group’s intentions or plan, and when tensions are high things can turn violent.

In the end, no one was physically hurt. But a protest at your home is not “peaceful.” It is nothing less than a political intimidation tactic. We know where you live. Comply with our demands.

I am not going to share who the protesters were or their cause. That’s not the point. It doesn’t matter your cause. Going to someone’s home to protest is wrong.

* No, elected officials don’t “sign up” to have their home and families become targets.

* No, your cause doesn’t give you the right to violate a person’s privacy and security.

* No, one injustice does not justify another.

When we lose sight of each other’s humanity we enter a space where we can justify terrible actions. As a community we must draw a line; showing up at private homes of elected or public officials to protest is not allowed, not tolerated and certainly not condoned.

It’s a slippery slope, just look at Seattle or Portland.

This time was non-violent, but what about the next time? What about the next group? Will they show up with more than a drum and a bullhorn?

To those who came to my home: I am grateful that you have the courage to stand up for what you believe. I participated in my first protest in 2017 and since have attended numerous others with my kids. And you should hold my spouse and all elected leaders accountable.

We all should demand action and change from our elected leaders when we see injustice. And when leaders fall short we should vote them out.

But you don’t have the right to come to my home. You don’t have the right to scare kids. All of us have the right to peace and privacy in our homes.

Since this event I am glad to share the protest leaders have agreed to stop protesting at homes. I am greatly appreciative of their decision. It is also a very positive step for our community.

I hope others will look to their example and leadership.

Kathryn McCarthy is a North End resident and the wife of Conor McCarthy, the at-large Position 7 Tacoma City Council member reelected to his second term last year.