Sanctuary city proposal to council could be casualty of Thursday's attacks

By Matt Batcheldor | The Olympian • Published May 03, 2008

Hyer said Olympia authorities aren't searching out illegal immigrants and doesn't have jurisdiction to seek out AWOL soldiers.

Mayor Doug Mah agreed. "It implies a problem that does not exist regarding the conduct of the city and it focuses on national police matters subsequently out of scope for the city and City Council," he said.

"In addition to that, I believe that some aspects of what they are seeking are contrary to state and federal law."

Councilwoman Joan Machlis also said she wouldn't support the resolution.

"I don't believe that that's our role as a city," she said.

Councilman Jeff Kingsbury said he doesn't oppose the resolution, but it isn't a priority for him.

Simpson, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said he was not the main organizer of Thursday's rally. That is Sam Green, whose name appears on the state-issued permit for using the state-owned Sylvester Park.

In a brief statement Friday, Green said he obtained the proper permits from the state for using Sylvester Park and the Capitol steps. He added that he gave Olympia police the march route in advance. Green declined to discuss Thursday's vandalism and violence, but he said of the disturbances: "I can tell you it wasn't planned."

Simpson said it was "specifically stated the march would be peaceful and family friendly." He said the vandalism was not part of the march. But when asked if he disagreed with the violent actions, he said, "It's a tough question for me."

Councilwoman Rhenda Strub, who is considering the ordinance, said that's not good enough.

"I want to know if they will renounce violent action and condemn the people who perpetrated violence in the midst of their protest, and if they won't, then I don't want anything to do with it," she said.