Embattled Rep. Matt Shea grabs the spotlight at Capitol gun rights rally

A pro-gun rights rally on Friday began like most, with the organizer instructing people on how to oppose legislation.

But when state Rep. Matt Shea arrived, it became a show of support for the Spokane Valley Republican, accused by an investigative report of taking part in acts of “domestic terrorism.”

Speaking to about 600 people outside the Legislative Building, Shea said all gun rights supporters are being labeled as domestic terrorists, which he referred to as “label lynching.”

“They’re trying to use those labels, and they use red-flag laws to silence opposition using Marxist tactics, using Marxist strategy, and we are always going to fight Marxism in America. The socialists will not win,” said Shea, his voice booming up the steps of the Legislative Building.

Washington and several other states have “red flag” laws that permit courts to temporarily take guns from people believed to pose a risk to themselves or others.

The report from an outside investigator that the House hired said Shea engaged in “domestic terrorism” during a 2016 standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon when he supported its occupation by two sons of rancher Cliven Bundy. The report said Shea “engaged in conversations with Ammon Bundy and other militia members in the planning and preparation” of the armed takeover.

The report also stated: “Investigators obtained evidence that Representative Shea planned, engaged in, and promoted a total of three armed conflicts of political violence against the United States ... in three states outside the state of Washington over a three-year period to include 2014, 2015 and 2016.”

Shea, who did not cooperate with the investigation, has denied any wrongdoing and said he won’t heed the calls for his resignation.

“This is not about one person,” he said at Friday’s rally. “It’s not about President Trump or Matt Shea. It’s about `we the people.’ We’re just standing in the way. We all need to be on the line, standing for the right to bear arms, standing for all of our liberties, the right to life, the right to liberty, the right to property and the ability to defend the same. That is what it means to be American,” he said as backers clutched “#IStandWithShea” signs as a light snow fell.

The ire of the crowd was aimed at House Republican Leader J.T. Wilcox, the Yelm Republican who called for Shea’s resignation after the report was released, suspended him from the GOP caucus, and took away his committee assignments.

Matt Marshall, who was elected last year to a seat on the Eatonville school board, used his speech at the rally to announce he will run against Wilcox, saying voters need to “drain the Evergreen swamp.”

“If you would like to help me on this journey, it’s going to be uphill. But one thing I’ve never done is go after the small fight,” he said.

Marshall is the founder and leader of The Three Percent of Washington, which consists of “God fearing Patriots that support our constitution, and promise to defend our country, our community, and our families from all enemies foreign and domestic.” He said the group is separate from the national group, American Patriots The Three Percent. Both groups had booths at the rally.

The Three Percent refers to the percentage of colonists during the American Revolution who were “active forces in the field against the King’s tyranny,” according to group members.

The Western States Center, a Portland-based nonprofit group which tracks and works to combat white nationalism and extremist group, has called Three Percenters groups an anti-government movement with “a history of violence.”

Marshall urged audience members to visit their legislators and “demand due process” for Shea.

“We will not stand for expulsion and make sure you pay special attention to any representatives who do vote for expulsion. We need to hold them accountable,” he said. A woman near the podium shouted “primary them.”

Later Friday, the State Patrol said it was investigating “troubling” comments on the Facebook page of The Three Percent of Washington about Wilcox.

“From my understanding, they were deleted fairly quickly, but they did catch people’s notice so we’re looking into it,” said Patrol spokesman Chris Loftis, who added he didn’t know what the comments were or who allegedly made them.

The Seattle Times reported that the now-deleted post referred to the rally with the message: “Here we come Olympia. JT Wilcox, your reign is coming to an end.” Comments included “Public executions!!!!!” and “Hog tie em” and “Should I bring the rope?” the newspaper reported.

Marshall said Friday evening that he does not administer the group’s Facebook page and doesn’t think members of his group made the comments. He said the page has about 7,000 followers and The Three Percent of Washington has about 1,000 members.

“We have a standard protocol since it’s a public page -- we can’t control who comments on it -- that we delete comments if it’s something clearly inappropriate,” he said.

Lynden resident Cesar Luna said he attended the rally to protest the “simple hypocrisy” of government officials restricting the ability of gun owners to protect themselves while they voice support for armed law enforcement agencies.

“All I want to do is be able to protect myself. They’re just making it harder and harder on law-abiding citizens,” said Luna, a maintenance technician who wore a sweatshirt proclaiming “My Governor is an Idiot.”

Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson are backing legislation to limit the capacity of magazines sold in Washington to 10 rounds and ban the sale of assault weapons. Ferguson also has proposed legislation to strengthen state rules regarding ammunition sales.

At Friday’s rally, Vincent Engler held a sign with the message “High capacity IIA,” a reference to the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

A Blaine resident, Engler said “highly-trained professionals, military, cops” won’t have a restriction on their magazine capacity if the bill becomes law.

“The most highly-trained people, do they hit their target on their first try, second try, third try? If they don’t, how would we all expect our wives to do so in the middle of the night? It’s kind of a no-brainer,” said the 34-year-old Engler, who attended the event with his fiancee.

The crowd also heard stump speeches supporting gun rights from Republican candidates for governor, including Republic Police Chief Loren Culp; state Sen. Phil Fortunato, R-Auburn, and Anton Sakharov, a Maple Valley program manager.

Anti-tax activist Tim Eyman also spoke. Eyman said in an interview that he has not decided yet whether to run for governor as an independent or a Republican.

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 1:27 PM.