Lawlessness will not be condoned

In the wake of escalating violence in the community, law enforcement agencies in Thurston County have issued a joint statement that they will have a "zero-tolerance" policy toward property damage and violence arising out of civil disobedience.

The statement, issued by the sheriff's office and joined by the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater police departments and area prosecutors, sends a strong message to protesters: Break the law and you're going to be held accountable. It's precisely the right message at the right time.

Now it's up to the city of Olympia to live up to the message. Two weeks ago today, Olympia City Manager Steve Hall told The Olympian's editorial board that it is his fault, and his fault alone, that the city has not charged any of the 61 people involved in the port protests last November.

Hall said he did not pressure the police department like he should have, and he did not track progress in the city attorney's office as he should have. As a result, nothing has been done in six months. At that editorial board meeting, Hall pledged to have a determination on charges in two weeks.

The two weeks is up today, so all eyes are on City Hall to see whether law enforcement officers mean what they say: There will be zero tolerance for vandalism and lawlessness.

Protests and riots

During the port protests between Nov. 8 and 15, protesters attempted to block shipments of military equipment leaving the Port of Olympia. The equipment was returning from the war in Iraq and was destined for Fort Lewis.

Four of those arrested and one bystander have filed claims against the city totalling $13 million in damages. They allege police brutality.

The port protests launched a series of confrontations between police and unruly crowds. It was followed by a Feb. 15 riot at The Evergreen State College where a police car was overturned and several other police cruisers were damaged. The total loss exceeded $50,000. Prosecutors have filed charges against eight individuals in that case.

Then violent protesters hijacked a May Day rally in downtown Olympia throwing rocks through bank windows. Six persons were arrested on felony charges.

Enough is enough

Law enforcement officials, led by Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball, have decided enough is enough. They issued a list of guiding principles late last week that describe how police and prosecutors will respond to future incidents.

In an accompanying statement Kimball said, "Violence begets violence and lawlessness begets lawlessness if left unchecked and unaddressed. As county sheriff, I am committed to working with our other area law enforcement partners to ensure that this most recent trend towards lawlessness and violence perpetrated by some is reversed. We should not be satisfied until we have ended this trend that is so dangerous to the fabric of our community.

"I call upon those leaders in our community who represent peaceful, nonviolent social justice movements to join with us in our effort to maintain an environment within our community that respects the rights of all and condemns all acts of violence, whether directed against person or property," Kimball said. "This should not be about ideology; rather it should be about how we treat each other and what kind of community we wish to be and to be seen as by others."

Law enforcement officials, through their joint statement, have made it clear that they support First Amendment rights of free speech. But activists are now on notice that lawlessness will not be condoned.

It's the right message at the right time.