At least a half-dozen of the protesters were arrested on charges of trespassing and one, Mark F. Canfield, sued to block the arrests as an infringement on the rights of speech and association. Go here for my reporting partner Jordan Schrader’s account.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Bryan’s three-page ruling said:
The injunction goes on to say Patrol Chief John Batiste, assistant chief Gregory Miller, Capt. Jeffrey Miller and other patrol defendants may not arrest protesters “based solely on the violation of a trespass warning.’’ The injunction stays in effect until Bryan hears a motion on the injunction at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 5.
The protests in the first week of the Legislature’s 30-day special session were rowdy and disruptive, and many protesters had to be carried out of the Legislative Building when they refused on Nov. 28 to obey orders to vacate when the building closed at 5:30 p.m.
About 30 evicted protesters were given trespass warnings. The next day many were arrested upon returning to the scene to protest further against budget cuts and to call for higher taxes on the wealthy and on corporations.
Troopers also arrested 15 protesters, many for disorderly conduct. And the State Patrol reported six of its troopers had injuries that were mild enough to let them return to work the next days.
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s aides said last week she wanted to close the Capitol to overnight protests because of security costs.
Later on Nov. 30 Gregoire told reporters:
Gregoire also said she would ask troopers to go on arresting protesters that did not leave the building when it is lawfully closed.
