Activists, some businesses challenge Inslee’s COVID-19 restrictions | KOMO (komonews.com)
Gov. Jay Inslee’s call to extend COVID-19 restrictions is provoking some pushback and even open defiance in many communities.
For example, indoor dining is still on the menu at Spiffy’s Restaurant & Bakery in Lewis County despite the state imposing $9,000-a-day fines for violating the governor’s shut-down order.
Matt Marshall, the founder of a right-wing group called The Three Percent of Washington, said it seems like the restaurant industry is being singled out.
“We’re creating poverty by forcing businesses to shut down that have otherwise been doing great work staying within the confines of the restrictions,” Marshall said.
Farm Boy Drive-In Restaurant in Olympia is on notice for staying open, which adds more fuel to the fire for those who disagree with the governor.
“We feel that he’s now weaponized the health department and L&I to come in and give these fines,” said Ashley Butenschoen, a protest organizer with WeWill in Whatcom County.
In Boise, Idaho, a health board meeting came to a halt Tuesday when demonstrators showed up outside and at some board members’ homes.
The board was set to discuss new COVID-19 restrictions but the mayor halted the meeting over safety concerns due to the protest activity.
“If you’re just standing outside and displaying your message and putting some pressure on, that’s a protected First Amendment activity,” Marshall said.
More than 15,000 COVID-related complaints have been filed in Washington since the start of the pandemic. So far, a handful of restaurants, gyms and trampoline venues have been fined.
“It’s the time to stand up and push back,” Butenschoen said.
The governor’s office said voluntary compliance is the goal in these situation and most businesses do follow the COVID-19 restrictions.
Gov. Jay Inslee’s call to extend COVID-19 restrictions is provoking some pushback and even open defiance in many communities.
For example, indoor dining is still on the menu at Spiffy’s Restaurant & Bakery in Lewis County despite the state imposing $9,000-a-day fines for violating the governor’s shut-down order.
Matt Marshall, the founder of a right-wing group called The Three Percent of Washington, said it seems like the restaurant industry is being singled out.
“We’re creating poverty by forcing businesses to shut down that have otherwise been doing great work staying within the confines of the restrictions,” Marshall said.
Farm Boy Drive-In Restaurant in Olympia is on notice for staying open, which adds more fuel to the fire for those who disagree with the governor.
“We feel that he’s now weaponized the health department and L&I to come in and give these fines,” said Ashley Butenschoen, a protest organizer with WeWill in Whatcom County.
In Boise, Idaho, a health board meeting came to a halt Tuesday when demonstrators showed up outside and at some board members’ homes.
The board was set to discuss new COVID-19 restrictions but the mayor halted the meeting over safety concerns due to the protest activity.
“If you’re just standing outside and displaying your message and putting some pressure on, that’s a protected First Amendment activity,” Marshall said.
More than 15,000 COVID-related complaints have been filed in Washington since the start of the pandemic. So far, a handful of restaurants, gyms and trampoline venues have been fined.
“It’s the time to stand up and push back,” Butenschoen said.
The governor’s office said voluntary compliance is the goal in these situation and most businesses do follow the COVID-19 restrictions.
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