'Sanctuary city' motion dies in Olympia City Council meeting

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published May 07, 2008

• Comments (0)

OLYMPIA – The Olympia City Council disregarded a resolution to make Olympia a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants and war resisters Tuesday, less than a week after a May Day rally in support of the measure erupted in violence.

The resolution would have barred the city from cooperating with federal authorities in turning over illegal immigrants or war resisters. During Tuesday's meeting, some council members criticized the violence that erupted when a group of demonstrators threw rocks and broke windows at two downtown banks, prompting six arrests. Others said the resolution was a federal issue, not a city one.

Councilwoman Rhenda Strub chastised May Day demonstrators for not condemning the actions of the rock-throwers.

"These people have committed an outrage against our city, and I won't have it," she said.

Mayor Doug Mah called the resolution "well-meaning" but said it "implies a problem that doesn't exist in the city of Olympia." He also said he was concerned it was contrary to state and federal law.

The resolution was essentially dead when no council member moved to consider it or send it to committee.

City Manager Steve Hall said the city took security precautions during Tuesday's meeting, placing a plain-clothes police officer in council chambers and putting several officers on standby. There were no disruptions, and each speaker honored the three-minute time limit.

Twelve people in the standing-room-only crowd of about 60 spoke on the topic, with eight in favor and four opposed. Many others signed up to speak, but Mah cut off public comment after 30 minutes, which is allowed under council procedure. Additional speakers were given forms on which to make written comments.

Sam Green, who organized the rally, apologized for the rock-throwers' actions, which he described as individualistic and opportunistic.

"The march was robbed of its purpose, and the proposal was robbed of its potential," he said.

Joshua Simpson, an Olympia resident who pushed for the resolution, pointed out that other cities, such as San Francisco, have declared themselves sanctuary cities. He pleaded for the council to consider the resolution.

Other speakers equated support of the resolution with accepting the intimidation tactics of the violent demonstrators.

"I cannot urge the council strongly enough to object," said Joe Winkler of Olympia.

In an interview later, Simpson said the issue wasn't dead. He pointed out that other cities have approved the sanctuary city designation, which he said contradicts the arguments of some council members that it wasn't a local issue.

"I still have faith in the fact that Olympia is a progressive city," he said.