Eleven gay bars in Seattle received this letter, according to Dan Savage at SLOG, threatening to target at least five of their customers with Ricin:
Savage reports: “According to the CDC's website, someone who has ingested ‘a significant amount' will develop vomiting and diarrhea within the first 6-12 hours; other symptoms of ricin poisoning include hallucinations, seizures, and blood in the urine. There is no antidote for ricin but ricin exposure is not invariably fatal.”
Police have reportedly picked up all the letters from the various establishments and are investigating. The Seattle Times reports: “In a statement, the Seattle Police Department said it takes the threat seriously. It has seized the letters and is processing them and is coordinating efforts with the FBI and other federal agencies.”
In addition, the offices of The Stranger, from which SLOG's group blog is written, received an additional letter:
“A letter also arrived in The Stranger's offices, addressed to the attention of ‘Obituaries.' The letter's author said the paper should ‘be prepared to announce the deaths of approximately 55 individuals all of whom were patrons of the following establishments on a Saturday in January.' The listed bars are: the Elite, Neighbours, Wild Rose, the Cuff, Purr, the Eagle, R Place, Re-bar, CC's, Madison Pub, and the Crescent. ‘I could take this moment to launch into a diatribe about my indignation towards the gay community,' the letter concludes, ‘however, I think the deaths will speak for themselves.'”
Bar owners and customers are responding to the threat with solidarity and some have posted signs to customers to not leave drinks unattended. More at SLOG.
Seattle Gay Bars Receive Threatening Letters [slog – the stranger]
11 gay bars get letters threatening ricin attacks [seattle times]
