Amid pandemic, protesters rally against Inslee’s stay-home order at state Capitol
In spite of federal and state recommendations to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, about 1,000 people gathered on the Capitol Campus Sunday to protest Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order and to uphold their right to assemble.
All ages were represented at the protest. There were families with children and senior citizens, many of whom held U.S. flags, President Trump signs and flags.
The event was billed as “Hazardous Liberty! Defend the Constitution!” and coincided with the 245th anniversary of the “shot heard ‘round the world” — a reference to the opening shot of the Battle of Concord on April 19, 1775, which began the American Revolutionary War and led to the creation of the United States. Organizers opposed the governor’s order, saying it violates the First Amendment right to assemble peaceably.
But many who participated Sunday expressed practical concerns about the economy. “Small business is essential,” read one such sign.
Some people took their social distancing seriously and wore masks, but many did not, including Matt Marshall of Eatonville, who said he was helping event organizer Tyler Miller.
KOMO news reports that Miller is part of the Kitsap County Republican Party.
“I’m tired of being out of work and I don’t believe in the governor’s orders,” Marshall said, adding that he believes Inslee is playing “king” to pick winners and losers in the economy.
“We want to go back to work, fish and and return to church,” he said. “I understand the risk of the virus, but it’s not worth crippling the economy.”
Marshall said he works in the medical field, but his position was deemed non-essential.
“Those who are at high risk (for contracting the virus) need to be quarantined, but not the entire population,” he said.
Statistically, the respiratory illness is more likely to be serious or fatal for older adults, but the disease infects all ages and can be spread by people without symptoms. More than 11,700 Washingtonians have tested positive for the disease and more than 600 have died, according to the state Department of Health.
Brian Steele of Everett also attended Sunday’s gathering. He said he is still employed, but it’s still personal for him. He’s trying to buy a house, and has money tied up in an escrow account, but construction has been halted on the project because of the pandemic.
“The state has been shut down, and a lot of people are out of work,” he said. “I believe we need to get back to work.”
Aaron Stearrett of Port Orchard said he doesn’t see how the governor’s actions are constitutional. He also questioned Inslee’s authority.
Instead of shutting down the state, Stearrett would have preferred if retirement homes had been isolated and protected. He also thinks restaurants could still operate by lowering maximum occupancy requirements. Instead of 100 customers, why not limit it to 30? he said.
The Port Orchard man did not wear a mask on Sunday, saying that because of his age and good health, he considers himself to be low risk for contracting the disease.
Inslee issued a statement on Sunday:
“These are difficult and frustrating times,” he said. “I understand the urgency of this crisis. However, this is not the time to halt the progress that we have made. I encourage everyone in our state to stay home, stay healthy and, if you need to go out, practice adequate social distancing.”
This story was originally published April 19, 2020 at 12:00 AM.
