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David Eastman Must be Expelled

by liz rangel

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Alaskans all across the state are demanding the expulsion of Alaska House Rep. David Eastman (R-Wasilla). Since the Jan. 6th organized attack on the Capitol, the Oath Keepers, a far-right extremist group and its leaders are currently facing seditious conspiracy charges. The investigation exposed Eastman as an active member of the group, along with 9 other sitting state legislators nationwide. Article XII, Section 4 of the Alaska Constitution disqualifies Eastman from holding public office, along with anyone “who advocates, or who aids or belongs to any party or organization or association which advocates the overthrow by force or violence of the government.” Despite this clear language in the State Constitution, Alaska House legislators will not be holding a vote to hold Eastman accountable at this time.

Though they swore an oath to uphold the Alaska State Constitution, not a single member of the Republican House Minority has committed to supporting Eastman’s removal from office, or from his committee assignments. Arguments against the representative’s expulsion claim to protect freedom of speech – even raising questions as to whether the State Constitution’s disloyalty clause conflicts with our First Amendment rights. To use our freedom of speech to justify treasonous sentiment from a public official is done in complete bad faith. These Alaska legislators freely and irresponsibly misrepresent our personal liberties as opportunities to promote and organize violent, anti-democratic action against our government.

Rep. Eastman has dedicated his public platform not to his constituents but to his ideologies. Eastman currently has multiple posts on his official social media accounts drawing attention to the words and views of Adolf Hitler, even linking obscure websites ripe with rhetoric of Holocaust denial. He tweeted a picture after visiting the Holocaust Museum in the nation’s capital. Out of every artifact, visual, and every bit of messaging from that museum, Eastman proudly posed by Hitler’s calls for the mass genocide of the Polish peoples.

In reducing his social media accounts to memorializing a genocidal tyrant, the representative denies any opportunity to inform or engage with fellow Alaskans in any meaningful way. And though he carefully tows the line of political correctness, Eastman manages to make his intentions clear: signaling to his Nazi base and fear mongering his minority constituents.
Constitutionally, legislators are tasked with the responsibility of holding their colleagues accountable. We’ve also realized it’s the only legitimate process for legislators to protect themselves from violence organized at the hands of their colleagues. The federal investigation into the Capitol attack exposed several members of Congress as organizers of the insurrection, enemies of the state hiding in plain sight. The stakes have been raised since Jan. 6th of last year: Alaska legislators have a duty, and a right to remove any of their treasonous colleagues who might threaten their safety.

Alaskans deserve state legislators we can be proud of. We elect officials to uphold Alaskan values with courage and integrity, and thus we expect our legislators to do so. Within that comes the responsibility to denounce anti-Alaskan values like treason and white supremacy. Alaskans are too proud and too diverse to be put to shame by their own public servants.

Minority Alaskans deserve better than to have to work to keep white supremacy out of the State Capitol; they require your help. Contact your legislators and urge them to expel Rep. Eastman from holding public office.
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You can also join the countless Alaskans organizing to take action at ExpelEastman.org today. ​

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Sol de Medianoche is a monthly publication of the Latino community in Anchorage, Alaska