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Multiracial family harassed, trapped on camping trip near Forks


Photo: U.S. National Park Service
Photo: U.S. National Park Service
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FORKS, Wash. - A multiracial Spokane family on a camping trip in the Forks area was harassed and confronted by locals who accused them of being political activists with "Antifa" and then trapped them at a remote campsite in the woods, officials confirmed.

The drama unfolded on Wednesday when the family of four arrived in the town of Forks in an old converted school bus and stopped to buy camping supplies at a local store, said Sgt. Shaun Minks of the Clallam County Sheriff's Office.

As they were leaving the store, the family was confronted by people in several vehicles who kept asking if they were from "Antifa" - the left-wing political activist group known for its sometimes destructive protest tactics.

The family told the people they weren’t associated with any such group and were just camping. The family finally was able to drive out of the parking lot and head for a campsite off a logging road about five miles outside of Forks, Minks said.

The family apparently was followed, however, and became concerned later that evening when they heard the sounds of gunshots and chainsaws nearby.

They decided to pack up and leave, but when they drove back down the logging road, trees had been felled across the road and they could not get out.

The family called 911 for help. And in the meantime, four Forks High School students who were in the area used their chainsaw to help clear the road for the family, Minks said.

Deputies arrived and escorted the family back to the sheriff's office to be interviewed. After the interview, the family left the area.

The Clallam County Sheriff's Office is investigating, but at this time they do not have any evidence of who may have confronted the family or if those people were armed.

Investigators say they hope there may be surveillance video from the store parking lot they can use to identify the people.

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