I was appalled to read that no one was arrested when several broke through an entry gate on the grounds of the governor’s mansion, following their demonstration at the state Capital on Wednesday. The Washington State Patrol officers managed to get them to leave the property but there were no arrests. This was not a rally outside the governor’s mansion; it was a breach of the property in other words trespassing. State law reads: “A person is guilty of criminal trespass in the second degree if he or she knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in or upon premises of another. … Criminal trespass in the second degree is a misdemeanor.”
It seems to me if there was a closed gate and one forces his/her way through the gate without permission that is trespassing. The governor and his wife were not in danger since they were in a secure location. Seeing what happened Wednesday at the nation’s Capitol, it is not hard to imagine that the situation could have turned on a dime.
Why were there no arrests? Rallying and demonstrations are protected under the First Amendment, but where is the line drawn? It is clear that if these persons had black or brown skin and were not rallying in support of our president they would have been arrested. These persons were white. Do we turn a blind eye? Do we say this is OK? I think not!
LeAnn Venn
Mill Creek
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