Snohomish citizens recently grabbed assault weapons instead of face masks as they gathered to fend off illusive looters. Meanwhile, the county’s leadership petitioned the state Health Department to enter Phase 2 of Jay Inslee’s Safe Start reopening plan.
City of Snohomish Mayor John Kartak celebrated the local response to protect the city against “opportunistic punks” targeting Snohomish with “mayhem and violence.” No criminal activity took place. The mayor’s language mimics that of President Trump who repeatedly claims that mysterious outsiders are crossing state borders to bring violence and property damage. Local residents and police rushed to face a threat that did not exist and was not coming.
We see local police occupy potential protest locations to intimidate protesters and prevent gathering. The Everett Mall exterior was cordoned off before any gathering or activity took place. The police are taking President Trump’s bait that some mysterious crime ring is following around protesters. This is not true and only exists to provide an excuse for a militarized police presence.
Local leadership is failing to take our public health seriously. Filling the streets with people and weapons is a gross violation of public health and common sense. While the county argues they have COVID-19 under control it’s clear that no efforts are being taken to reduce the spread of the virus in Snohomish county. Officials are focused on fighting Donald’s invisible looters instead of keeping our citizens safe from the deadly virus.
During protests police ought to be providing public safety through administering face masks and social distancing guidelines. Insuring that protesters do not have weapons, that crowd sizes stay a manageable size, and not trusting untrained and misguided citizens to protect our lives with force.
Robin Jones
Everett
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