Washington Democratic Governor Jay Inslee was sued Wednesday by a nonprofit legal group seeking to stop the enforcement of a law allowing the state to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-to-allow-shelters-to-keep-runaway-children-from-parents-if-child-seeking-transgender-surgery-abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hide child sex-change surgeries</a> from parents.
American First Legal, led by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, filed the <a href="https://media.aflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/16204634/Dkt-001-20230816-IPEC-Complaint.pdf?_ga=2.200886126.1589291635.1692274349-1434704885.1692274349" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lawsuit</a> over Senate Bill 5599, which was recently signed into law by Inslee. The bill was pushed by leftist lawmakers as protection of trans-identifying youth and allows “host homes” to keep parents in the dark about their child’s sex-change procedure. <a href="https://twitter.com/America1stLegal/status/1691920533041103099" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According</a> to American First Legal, the legislation “creates a dangerous incentive for minors who disagree with their parents on ‘gender-affirming care’ to run away to a shelter or host home.”
“No state action more frighteningly illustrates the threat to our children than this law,” Miller <a href="https://aflegal.org/america-first-legal-sues-washington-governor-to-block-state-sanctioned-kidnapping-bill-that-allows-state-to-hide-kids-seeking-gender-transition-from-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “This sick, authoritarian law essentially allows the state to kidnap children from their parents and hide their whereabouts to surgically and chemically mutilate them — and to formally deprive their parents of any legal ability to stop the medical disfigurement of their sons and daughters by gender extremists targeting their children.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
/1🚨BREAKING — we sued the governor of Washington <a href="https://twitter.com/GovInslee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovInslee</a> to block enforcement of a new “state-sanctioned kidnapping” bill that allows the state to hide kids from their parents to perform “gender transitions” &#8211; including disfiguring drugs and mutilating surgeries.
Read more:
&mdash; America First Legal (@America1stLegal) <a href="https://twitter.com/America1stLegal/status/1691920520504102919?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Under the new <a href="https://legiscan.com/WA/text/SB5599/id/2785218" target="_blank" rel="noopener">law</a>, shelters or &#8220;host homes,&#8221; are not required to notify parents of a runaway child if the child claims to be fleeing parents who do not approve of a sex-change procedure or an abortion. Instead of reporting the runaway child to the parents, the host home is required to notify the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
The legislation also adds abortion as a “compelling reason” for licensed shelters and host homes not to notify parents if a runaway child is seeking such a procedure. The bill easily made it through the Democrat-controlled legislature, passing the Senate 29-20 and the House 57-39. It was sponsored by state Sen. Marko Liias, a Democrat who represents an area just north of Seattle and is co-chair of the LGBTQ caucus. 
“Every child – including our trans youth – deserves to be safe at home. In a perfect world, that is the case, but unfortunately, that is not the reality,” Liias said in a press release. “This legislation affirms our commitment to ensuring children have a safe and stable place to go when they are not welcome at home.” 
When he signed the bill, Inslee said the law is a “compassionate, developmentally appropriate, and reasoned approach to support these youth as they access gender-affirming treatment and reproductive health care services.”
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The suit also goes after Washington Attorney General Robert Furguson and the secretary of the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Ross Hunter. American First Legal argues that the new statute &#8220;deprives certain parents of their fundamental rights under the United States Constitution to direct the care and upbringing of their children.&#8221;
&#8220;America First Legal is proud to defend parental rights and stand up against the insidious &#8216;gender-affirming care&#8217; agenda, which promotes using experimental medical procedures and drugs on minor children – potentially altering their lives forever,&#8221; said Miller.
Leif Le Mahieu contributed to this report.

Jay Inslee

Dem Governor Sued Over New Law Allowing State To Hide Child Sex-Change Surgeries From Parents

Lawsuit

Politics

Social Issues

Stephen Miller

Transgender

transgender surgery

Washington

This article is adapted from today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Marine Charged In Subway Killing
Daniel Penny, the U.S. Marine veteran who restrained a New York homeless man who was threatening people on the subway, has been charged.
Penny is charged with 2nd-degree manslaughter over the death of Jordan Neely and faces up to 15 years in prison. Penny was released on a $100,000 bond after his arraignment on Friday afternoon. The 24-year-old highly decorated Marine veteran turned himself in to New York authorities on Friday morning. His attorney said Penny surrendered with “the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his history of service to this grateful nation.” A Give Send Go donation page set up in Penny’s name raised <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/givesendgo-campaign-raises-more-than-400k-for-daniel-penny" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than  $400,000 by Friday afternoon</a>.
Dems Attack Parental Rights
The Democratic Governor of Washington State Jay Inslee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/unbelievable-ap-reports-trans-minors-protected-from-parents-under-washington-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signed</a> a new law that allows licensed shelters to bypass parents when their child seeks transgender medical treatments. Before this bill was signed, shelters and host homes were required to notify parents within 72 hours if a minor came into their care. Now the facilities can bypass parents and instead contact the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
U.S.-Ukraine Aid Keeps Getting Higher
The U.S. announced another <a href="https://www.state.gov/u-s-security-cooperation-with-ukraine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$1.2 billion worth of security assistance</a> to Ukraine this week. Since February 2022, the U.S. has sent more than $36.9 billion worth of weapons, ammunition, and other supplies to Ukraine. That figure does not include the nearly $15 billion from USAID.
Jobless Claims Increase, Mortgage Rates Drop
In our economic roundup — jobless claims <a href="https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/talent-acquisition/pages/jobless-claims-may-11-unemployment.aspx#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Labor,since%20Oct.%2030%2C%202021." target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> to a one-year high while the producer price index, which measures the cost of raw materials, also continues to remain high, but shows signs of slowing. On the home front: mortgage rates <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/11/homes/mortgage-rates-may-11/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dropped</a> for the second week in a row down to 6.35%, but the supply of homes remains tight, which is pushing up prices.
Natalee Holloway Suspect To Be Extradited To U.S.
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/suspect-in-natalee-holloway-disappearance-being-extradited-to-the-united-states-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">prime suspect in the unsolved 2005 disappearance</a> of American student Natalee Holloway in Aruba will be extradited to the U.S. from Peru. The Peruvian government announced Wednesday that Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot will be sent to the U.S to face trial on charges stemming from accusations of extorting the Holloway family after their daughter’s disappearance. Holloway was last seen during a trip with classmates to Aruba in 2005. She vanished after a night with friends at a nightclub. She was last seen leaving with van der Sloot, then 18 years old. Years later, van der Sloot was arrested in Peru for the 2010 murder of 21-year-old Stephany Flores, who was killed five years to the day after Holloway’s disappearance. His extradition is solely related to the Holloway case.
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Mother Who Writes Kids Book On Grief Charged With Killing Her Husband
A mother who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/she-wrote-a-book-about-grief-after-her-husband-died-now-shes-charged-with-his-murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote a children’s book</a> about grief after her husband died has now been charged with his <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/murder" target="_blank" rel="noopener">murder</a>. Kouri Darden Richins, a 33-year-old mom of three from Kamas, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/utah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah</a>, was arrested Monday for allegedly poisoning her husband on March 4, 2022. She has been charged with aggravated murder and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute after allegedly purchasing $900 worth of fentanyl and spiking her husband’s drink. A little over a year after Eric died, Kouri published a children’s book called “Are You With Me?” to help children cope with losing a loved one.
Peleton Recall
Peleton is recalling <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Peloton-Recalls-Two-Million-Exercise-Bikes-Due-to-Fall-and-Injury-Hazards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more than 2 million</a> of their indoor stationary bicycles due to a flaw that causes the seat post to break, causing injuries. 35 people have reported broken seats with 13 of those reporting an injury. The bikes were sold from 2018 to January 2023 and sold for $1,400. Peleton owners should stop using the bike immediately and contact the company for a free repair.
To listen to the audio version of this podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/morning-wire/id1576594336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. And for more in-depth discussion of the biggest stories of the day, listen to the latest full episode of Morning Wire every morning.

Friday Afternoon Update: Marine Charged In Subway Killing, Dems Attack Parental Rights, Peleton Recall

General

Jordan Neely

Morning Wire

Murder

Podcast

U.S.

On Thursday, the state of Washington passed five laws to expand access to and enhance protections for both abortions and gender transition procedures.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, claimed in his <a href="https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-signs-laws-to-protect-reproductive-health-and-gender-affirming-care-db8917021cd7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blog</a> that abortions and gender transitioning constituted freedom.
“The right of choice is an issue of freedom,” stated Inslee. “Health care must remain the providence [sic] of individual Washingtonians. These laws will keep the tentacles of oppressive and overreaching states out of Washington.”
One of the bills, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5768&amp;Year=2023&amp;Initiative=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SB 5768</a> from Democratic Senate President Pro Tempore Karen Keiser, authorized the Washington Department of Corrections to distribute a three-year supply, 30,000 doses, of mifepristone — the abortion drug that the governor <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-unprecedented-state-purchase-three-year-supply-mifepristone%23:~:text=Jay%2520Inslee%2520today%2520announced%2520that,purchase%2520the%2520medication%2520last%2520month." target="_blank" rel="noopener">purchased</a> last month. Inslee managed to secure the abortion drug three days before the District Court for the Northern District of Texas ordered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revoke authorization of the drug.
Upon Senate passage of the bill earlier this month, Keiser touted mifepristone’s safety and efficacy. However, concerns continue to exist over the safety of the drug. 22 attorneys general <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/22-attorneys-general-urge-fda-to-reverse-abortion-pill-decision" target="_blank" rel="noopener">petitioned</a> the FDA in a letter earlier this year to reverse its decision allowing retail pharmacies to dispense abortion pills.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: The Senate just passed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SB5768?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SB5768</a> to guarantee uninterrupted access to mifepristone, used in nearly 60% of abortions.
&#8220;We cannot allow an unelected judge to deny Washingtonians a safe, effective medication for their reproductive choice.&#8221;
—Sen. Karen Keiser <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WALeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WALeg</a> <a href="https://t.co/reHAquHmqB" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/reHAquHmqB</a>
— WA Senate Democrats (@WASenDemocrats) <a href="https://twitter.com/WASenDemocrats/status/1646962749753413632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
The concerns over the abortion drug’s safety predate increased focus brought on by the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last summer. In 2021, over 100 U.S. senators and congressmen <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/more-than-100-legislators-call-on-fda-to-enforce-safety-measures-for-chemical-abortions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">petitioned</a> the FDA to enforce safety precautions for its distribution after the agency overturned a Trump-era rule requiring women to obtain mifepristone in person from a medical provider.
In February, Texas Rep. August Pfluger and Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, both Republicans, <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3876301-its-time-to-rein-in-dangerous-chemical-abortion-drugs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> that reporting requirements on the safety and efficacy of mifepristone are weak, and that at least dozens of deaths and hundreds of life-threatening complications have arisen from mifepristone. Pfluger and Hyde-Smith accused the FDA of abusing pathways allowing the expedited approval of drugs by <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-08-751.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">categorizing</a> pregnancy as an “illness” and mifepristone as a “meaningful therapeutic benefit.”
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In another bill signed into Washington law, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1469&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HB 1469</a> by Democratic State Rep. Drew Hansen, the state was made a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-house-passes-bill-allowing-no-parental-notification-of-runaways-if-child-seeking-abortion-sex-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">safe haven</a> for abortions and gender transition procedures. The law prohibits compliance with other states’ subpoenas, prevents compliance with other states’ investigations, and bans extraditions for violators of other states’ abortion and gender transitioning laws.
Hansen’s bill, also called the “Shield Law,” has been in the works ever since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision last summer.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Governor signed the Shield Law today!
This protects people in Washington State from anti-abortion laws in Texas/elsewhere.
I started working on it last summer when we saw draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade…five million drafts &amp; countless meetings later we’re done; it’s law! <a href="https://t.co/X511FceWL9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/X511FceWL9</a>
— Rep. Drew Hansen (@RepDrewHansen) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDrewHansen/status/1651693924011094026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
The third bill, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1340&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HB 1340</a> from Democratic State Rep. Marcus Riccelli, shields health care providers from disciplinary action or license revocation related to abortions or gender transition procedures given to patients residing in not only Washington, but other states. Meaning, abortionists punished under other states’ laws could still retain their license in Washington.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
FROM THE WINGS: Rep. Marcus Riccelli sponsored HB 1340 to protect health care providers offering reproductive care or gender affirming care: <a href="https://t.co/K1ABhLDZk2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/K1ABhLDZk2</a>
— WA House Democrats (@WAHouseDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/WAHouseDems/status/1631111163671982082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">March 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
The fourth bill, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1155&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HB 1155</a> by Democratic Rep. Vandana Slatter, requires companies to obtain consent for any consumer health data, as well as prohibits geofencing certain locations for data collection and sales. One of the main purposes of the legislation was to protect women who receive abortions or those who receive gender-transitioning procedures.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
As a pharmacist and a legislator, patient privacy matters to me. I’m proud to see <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HB1155?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HB1155</a> WA My Health, My Data head to <a href="https://twitter.com/GovInslee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovInslee</a>’s desk. Your data shd *never* be used against you. Let’s do this <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#waleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/xyVoiu2eZE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/xyVoiu2eZE</a>
— Vandana Slatter ☮️ (@SlatterVandana) <a href="https://twitter.com/SlatterVandana/status/1644424940509347840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
The fifth bill, <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5242&amp;Initiative=false&amp;Year=2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SB 5242</a> by Democratic State Sen. Annette Cleveland, prohibits health carriers from imposing cost-sharing for abortions.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Passed the House!
SB 5242 restricts cost-sharing for abortion. This bill ensures equity and fairness for everyone receiving critical reproductive care. Nobody should be unable to access the care they need because of their inability to pay. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WALeg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WALeg</a> <a href="https://t.co/IkqB8SEV96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/IkqB8SEV96</a>
— Annette Cleveland (@Sen_ACleveland) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sen_ACleveland/status/1644394751385567232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
In addition to these five bills, Inslee announced that the state of Washington plans to allocate over $15 million over the next two years to subsidize abortions. However, Keiser noted on Thursday that there could be up to $23 million set aside for abortion clinics.
“We can’t let extremist judges in other states take away reproductive freedom from the women of Washington,” stated Keiser.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We can&#8217;t let extremist judges in other states take away reproductive freedom from the women of Washington. We are protecting rights and expanding access — These <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#waleg</a> bills are now law: 
SB 5242, HB 1155, HB 1469, HB 1340 &amp; SB 5768 
$23 million is also in the budget for clinics.
— Karen Keiser (@KarenKeiser1) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarenKeiser1/status/1651686645010427906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">April 27, 2023</a></blockquote>

Washington State Passes Five Laws Expanding Access And Protections For Abortions, Gender Transitions

Abortion

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington</a> state is facing at least two lawsuits from gun rights groups after Democratic Governor <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/jay-inslee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jay Inslee</a> signed into law a ban on so-called assault weapons on Tuesday.
Inslee signed into law three gun control bills. One of those pieces of legislation, House Bill 1240, took effect immediately and banned the manufacturing and sale of dozens of types of semiautomatic rifles.
“This new law is blatantly unconstitutional. The Supreme Court long-ago ruled that states cannot ban firearms that are in common use,” Aoibheann Cline, director of the NRA’s lobbying operations in Washington state, told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nra-sues-democrat-governor-washington-states-new-blatantly-unconstitutional-gun-ban" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a>.
Cline called H.B. 1240 the “worst of such schemes in the country” that bans “nearly every modern semiautomatic rifle.”
“AR-15-style firearms are the most popular rifles in America. In fact, AR-15s outsell America’s most popular truck, the Ford F-150, and there are more privately owned AR-15-style firearms than subscribers to all daily newspapers nationwide, combined,” Cline said.
“It’s outrageous that states continue to pass these unconstitutional bans. But rest assured, the NRA will continue to fight each one,” Cline said. “[The] people of Washington deserve better.”
Inslee signed two other pieces of gun control legislation on Tuesday alongside the extensive ban targeting semiautomatic rifles: H.B. 1143 and Senate Bill 5078. H.B. 1143 mandates that all new gun owners take a safety and training course that teaches how to properly store firearms and about Washington’s self-defense laws. Senate Bill 5078 gives Washington’s attorney general the authority to punish gun manufacturers for criminal misuse of their product.
Inslee <a href="https://tvw.org/video/governor-jay-inslee-bill-signing-2023041342/?eventID=2023041342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> the bill signing marked a “monumental day” of victories against “weapons of war” and gun manufacturers.
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“It is a victory over weapons of war, to not expose children for weapons of war in our streets and in our classrooms. It is a victory against impetuous gun violence for people who could buy a gun and then create violence without a second thought. It is a victory over irresponsible gun manufacturers that have been responsible for gun violence,” Inslee said.
Inslee’s laws are facing another legal challenge from the Second Amendment Foundation, which also filed a lawsuit against the state on Tuesday.
“The state has enacted a flat prohibition on the manufacture, sale, import and distribution of many types of firearms, inaccurately labeled as ‘assault weapons,’ which are owned by millions of ordinary citizens across the country,” Second Amendment Foundation founder and executive vice president Alan Gottlieb <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/washington-ban-sale-assault-weapons/281-7bee1dd8-8a96-4930-a02f-9d87c148591d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement. “In the process, the state has criminalized a common and important means of self-defense, the modern semiautomatic rifle. The state has put politics ahead of constitutional rights, and is penalizing law-abiding citizens while this legislation does nothing to arrest and prosecute criminals who misuse firearms in defiance of all existing gun control laws. It is absurd.”

‘Blatantly Unconstitutional’: Gun Rights Groups Sue Washington Over Assault Weapons Ban

National Rifle Association (NRA)

Second Amendment

Washington state Governor Jay Inslee (D) is warning residents that the summer of 2022 will be one of  &#8220;blackouts, destruction, and death&#8221; due to climate change.
On June 13, Inslee&#8217;s campaign sent an email telling voters in The Evergreen State, &#8220;It’s shaping up to be a deadly summer.&#8221;
&#8220;As the climate crisis worsens, we’re facing the most extreme weather in history,&#8221; Inslee claimed. &#8220;While Washington state faced the wettest start to the summer in over 70 years, other states are preparing for sweltering temperatures that will catastrophically disrupt our fragile electrical grid. That means blackouts, destruction, and death. Just look at the headlines.&#8221;
Todd Myers, director of the Center for the Environment at Washington Policy Center, accused Inslee of recently implying that he was willing to destroy a significant contributor to Washington state&#8217;s energy supply.
&#8220;Last week, @GovInslee gave implicit support to destroying the Snake River dams and 8% of Washington’s electricity generation,&#8221; Myers tweeted.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Last week, <a href="https://twitter.com/GovInslee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovInslee</a> gave implicit support to destroying the Snake River dams and 8% of Washington’s electricity generation.
Today he sent an email warning about electricity shortages this summer. 🤔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/waleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#waleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/0PN5U436Rp">pic.twitter.com/0PN5U436Rp</a>
&mdash; Todd Myers 🐟🌲🐝 (@WAPolicyGreen) <a href="https://twitter.com/WAPolicyGreen/status/1536455626074767361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The National Wildlife Federation reported that U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Inslee <a href="https://www.nwf.org/Latest-News/Press-Releases/2022/6-9-22-Murray-Inslee-Report">recently unveiled</a> a &#8220;draft report outlining an actionable plan for removing the lower Snake River dams and replacing their services underscores the urgent need to save Northwest salmon from extinction.&#8221;
The Center Square&#8217;s Washington outlet also recently <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/inslee-predicts-blackouts-destruction-and-death-this-summer/article_93e96cce-ec3a-11ec-8c40-b31db9993c4a.html">reported</a> that Inslee&#8217;s decision on the dams was &#8220;not the first time Inslee has said or done something that seems at odds with making sure Washington’s energy needs can be met.&#8221;
The outlet noted that earlier this year, the governor <a href="https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/inslee-vetoes-electrical-grid-reliability-bill-over-legislature-s-unanimous-approval/article_14ea1bd4-b77f-11ec-8811-a3e65c9b2ba8.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vetoed</a> a bill that would have addressed the &#8220;risk of rolling blackouts and power supply inadequacy events.&#8221; That legislation had received unanimous support.
In his veto letter to the legislature, Inslee claimed, “Ensuring that our electricity grid continues to reliably provide power to Washingtonians is a priority for me as well, which is why we have multiple state agencies already working on this issue.&#8221;
Washington state is not alone in its struggles to maintain a reliable power grid.
In early June, The Washington Post <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/02/blackout-states-summer-heat/">reported</a> that America&#8217;s power grid is at risk due to &#8220;extreme weather precipitated by climate change&#8221; as well as &#8220;the early retirement of fossil fuel plants,&#8221; which &#8220;has accelerated the destabilization of the grid.&#8221;
Several energy industry leaders told The Post that the rapid transition toward green energy explains why blackouts now threaten Americans.
“Everybody has a good sense of where we want to go in terms of decarbonizing the fleet,” Midcontinent Independent System Operator Chief Executive Officer John Bear recently told the press.“We are moving in that direction. Unfortunately, we are moving in that direction quite quickly and I am worried about the transition.”
An energy economist at the University of Houston, Ed Hirs, also emphasized that there hasn&#8217;t been enough investment into green energy for America to fully take the plunge.
“We’ve let our infrastructure decay to the point where we have these failures,” Hirs <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/02/blackout-states-summer-heat/">said</a>. “Somebody has to stand up and start doing something. We have not even addressed what will happen to the grid when every two-car family switches to one plug-in Ford F150 [pickup truck] and one plug-in passenger car. The grid can’t even handle what we have now.”
The comments come as President Joe Biden keeps insisting that the record-high gas prices give Americans the opportunity to partake in an &#8220;incredible transition&#8221; off of fossil fuels.

Washington State Governor Warns Climate Change Will Bring A Summer Of ‘Blackouts, Destruction, And Death’

Washington Governor Jay Inslee Warns Climate Change Will Cause Summer Of 'Blackouts, Destruction, And Death'

Climate Change

Energy

Democrats in Washington state are cracking down on marijuana — not the actual drug, the word itself.
The Evergreen State legislature recently passed a bill banning the word &#8220;marijuana&#8221; from official state law and documents over concerns that it is &#8220;racist.&#8221; At the same time, to help increase diversity in the cannabis business, a taxpayer-funded task force has been spending the last two years focusing on helping minorities in Washington state break into the marijuana business.
“The term ‘marijuana’ itself is pejorative and racist,” Washington state Representative Melanie Morgan (D) <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/lawmakers-strike-word-marijuana-all-state-laws-calling-term-racist/MJOQZ7OCK5CUDLBA2H53CYOJXE/">said</a> during testimony regarding the piece of legislation officially known as House Bill 1210, which she also sponsored.
“As recreational marijuana use became more popular, it was negatively associated with Mexican immigrants,” Morgan added. “Even though it seems simple because it’s just one word, the reality is we’re healing the wrongs that were committed against Black and Brown people around cannabis.&#8221;
Democratic Governor Jay Inslee signed the bill into law in March and it will go into effect in June.
Morgan also cited that Harry Anslinger, &#8220;the first commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (which later became the Drug Enforcement Administration) played a big role in the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which banned selling or possessing weed,&#8221; KRO 7 <a href="https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/lawmakers-strike-word-marijuana-all-state-laws-calling-term-racist/MJOQZ7OCK5CUDLBA2H53CYOJXE/">reported</a>.
“It was … Anslinger that said and I quote, ‘Marijuana is the most violent causing drug in the history of mankind. And most marijuana users are Negroes, Hispanic, Caribbean, and entertainers. Their satanic music, jazz, and swing result from marijuana usage,'&#8221; Morgan stated during her testimony.
KRO 7 also reported that Joy Hollingsworth, owner of the family business Hollingsworth Cannabis Company, was appreciative of Morgan and her efforts.
&#8220;She was the one who educated us on the term and how it was derogatory and we shouldn’t use it anymore,” Hollingsworth told the media outlet. “We have a lot of people, especially in the Black community that went to prison over cannabis for years. That were locked up, separated from their nuclear family, which is huge.&#8221;
“It’s really painful for people to hear that word and it triggers them,” Hollingsworth said.
According to Hollingsworth, there is still a greater need for diversity in Washington state&#8217;s cannabis industry.
“We’ll take any win right? But we don’t want to get caught up on the performative equity piece where we’re just talking about words and not actual legislation and policy,” Hollingsworth said.
Hollingsworth suggested that taxes from pot sales in the state be redistributed to minority communities who have been disadvantaged under the state&#8217;s previous law which penalized marijuana dealers and drug users.
As noted by KRO 7, the state&#8217;s &#8220;Washington Task Force on Social Equity in Cannabis&#8221; is intent on helping minorities have more representation in the marijuana business.
For example, in 2021, the state&#8217;s governor signed a law that makes it so that individuals applying for cannabis licenses who &#8220;have prior convictions for marijuana-related crimes, or who live in areas defined as &#8216;disproportionately impacted,&#8221; can &#8220;now qualify for grant funding and expert advice to help them get started in the business,&#8221; NBC King 5 <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/washington-state-law-to-help-minorities-people-of-color-marijuana-business/281-8c6845c0-7ada-4965-8003-e0d0efa14b5d">reported</a> in May 2021.
“It’s a down payment on what the state of Washington owes its Black residents,” Paula Sardinas, co-chair of the task force, <a href="https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/washington-state-law-to-help-minorities-people-of-color-marijuana-business/281-8c6845c0-7ada-4965-8003-e0d0efa14b5d">said</a> at the time. “We’re doing things to make those wrongs, right.”
Morgan had previously blamed the lack of diversity in the marijuana industry on &#8220;racism&#8221; as well.
&#8220;There are so many levels of racism in the white supremacist culture that is a part of our system that stops us,&#8221; Morgan <a href="https://potguide.com/blog/article/melanie-morgan-social-equity/">told</a> potguide.com in January.

Hempfest

Citing Racism, Washington State Bans The Word ‘Marijuana’ From All State Laws

Democratic Party

Drugs

Marijuana

Racism

Some Seattle police officers began flying Gadsden flags out of their patrol cars in opposition to Washington state’s vaccine mandate for state employees.
“Some officers plan on taking time off to decide what they will do long term. They don’t seem eager to stay with SPD. Others explained that they are going to leave the SPD by the end of the year as a result of this. Officers took these photos in protest of the mandate,” KTTH radio show host Jason Rantz wrote on Twitter early Monday morning. His post was accompanied by several pictures of Seattle police cars flying the flags.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Some officers plan on taking time off to decide what they will do long term. They don’t seem eager to stay with SPD.
Others explained that they are going to leave the SPD by the end of the year as a result of this.
Officers took these photos in protest of the mandate. <a href="https://t.co/0mkfdklo0F">pic.twitter.com/0mkfdklo0F</a>
&mdash; Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrantz/status/1449987224691302405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Washington State Governor Jay Inslee (D) has mandated that all state employees and healthcare workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. Workers falling under the mandate were expected to submit proof of their vaccination on Monday.
The public display of defiance from Seattle police officers comes after former Washington State Patrol trooper Robert LaMay blistered Inslee on Friday, signing off shift for the last time after being forced out because of the state’s vaccine mandate for government employees.
“This is my final sign-off. After 22 years of serving the citizens of the state of Washington, I’m being asked to leave because I am dirty,” LaMay said in a video posted online, making his final sign off as a Washington state law enforcement officer.
“Numerous fatalities, injuries, have worked sick, have played sick, we’ve buried lots of friends over these years. I’d like to thank you guys,” he continued. “I’d like to thank the citizens of Yakima County as well as my fellow officers within the valley. Without you guys, I wouldn’t have been very successful and you’ve kept me safe and gotten me home to my family every night. Thank you for that. I wish I could say more but this is it so state 10-34, this is the last time you will hear me in a state patrol car and Jay Inslee can kiss my a**.”
“Thank you for your 22 years and five months of service to the citizens of Washington state,” a woman answered. “You have been a great role model and mentor for all young troopers serving in the area by sharing your knowledge and experience throughout the years. Thank you for your service.”
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Washington State Trooper tells off Governor Jay Inslee" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PIZWNEorOIs?start=90&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
LaMay’s video received tens of thousands of views on social media as opposition to vaccine mandates continues to spread among first responders, worrying officials in some areas that emergency personnel may be left short-staffed because of the mandate. In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot (D) and the city’s police union are engaged in a legal battle over the city’s vaccine mandate.
On Friday, Lightfoot <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chicago-mayor-lightfoot-and-police-unions-sue-each-other-over-vaccine-mandate">sued</a> to stop the Chicago police union’s chief, John Catanzara, from encouraging the city’s police officers to buck the mayor’s vaccine mandate.
“As Chicago’s Mayor, I cannot and will not stand idly by while the rhetoric of conspiracy theorists threatens the health and safety of Chicago’s residents and first responders,” Lightfoot said in a statement.
Earlier last week, Catanzara encouraged Chicago police officers to continue resisting the mandate, asserting that the city would eventually cave if enough officers refused go along with the regulation. As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chicago-police-union-president-tells-officers-to-resist-city-vaccine-mandate-requirements-hold-the-line">The Daily Wire</a> reported:
<blockquote>“I’ve made my status very clear as far as the vaccine, but I do not believe the city has the authority to mandate that to anybody, let alone that information about your medical history,” Catanzara said in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWPl--cAG7I&amp;t=7s">video</a>, later adding, “Hold the line.”
“It’s safe to say that the city of Chicago will have a police force at 50% or less for this weekend coming up,” he noted.
“I can guarantee you that no-pay status will not last more than 30 days,” Catanzara reportedly said. “There’s no way they’re going to be able to sustain a police department workforce at 50% capacity or less for more than seven days without something budging.”
He pressed back against the actions of Mayor Lightfoot, saying, “This could have all been avoided but it literally has been like everything else with this mayor for the last two and a half years: ‘Do it or else. Because I said so.’ Well, we say otherwise.”</blockquote>

‘Jay Inslee Can Kiss My A**’: WA Law Enforcement Rebel Against Democratic Gov’s Vaxx Mandate

Vaccine Mandate

On Saturday night, a viral video emerged of a Washingon state trooper who apparently refused to get vaccinated as he submitted his resignation over the phone to a radio operator, in the process telling the state’s Democratic governor, Jay Inslee, who in August ordered state workers to show proof of vaccination by October 18 or lose their jobs, “Jay Inslee can kiss my a**.”
The trooper stated, “This is my final sign-off. After 22 years of serving the citizens of the state of Washington, I am being asked to leave because I am dirty. Numerous fatalities, injuries. I’ve worked sick; I’ve played sick; buried lots of friends over these years. (I’d) like to thank you guys; I’d like to thank the citizens of Yakima County as well as my fellow officers within the valley. Without you guys I wouldn’t have been very successful; you kept me safe and got me home to my family every night. Thank you for that.”
“Wish I could say more but this is it, so, state 1034, this is the last time you’ll hear me in a state patrol car,&#8221; he concluded. “And Jay Inslee can kiss my ass.”
The radio operator responded, &#8220;State 1034, thank you for your 22 years of service to the citizens of Washington state. You’ve taken on many roles in your time with the patrol. In your first year, you delivered a baby while on patrol … You’ve been a theory instructor … peer support member, part of the chaplaincy board &#8230; You’ve been a great role model and a mentor for all the young troopers serving in the area by sharing your knowledge and experience throughout the years. Thank you for your service.”
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“This is the last time you’ll hear me in a patrol car and Jay Inslee can kiss my ass.”
Washington State Trooper in Yakima, Wash. signs off after 22 years — fired by <a href="https://twitter.com/GovInslee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GovInslee</a> for being unvaccinated. <a href="https://t.co/RGLDs5BZxg">pic.twitter.com/RGLDs5BZxg</a>
&mdash; Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonrantz/status/1449538761474199555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Inslee issued a <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/21-14.1%20-%20COVID-19%20Vax%20Washington%20Amendment.pdf">proclamation</a> on August 20 in which he stated:
<blockquote>This order prohibits the following:</blockquote>
<ol>
<li>Any Worker from engaging in work for a State Agency after October 18, 2021 if the Worker has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19;</li>
<li>Any State Agency from permitting any Worker to engage in work for the agency after October 18, 2021 if the Worker has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provided proof thereof as required below;</li>
<li>Any Worker from engaging in work for the operator of an Educational Setting after October 18, 2021 if the Worker has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19;</li>
<li>Any operator of an Educational Setting from permitting a Worker to engage in work for the operator after October 18, 2021 if the Worker has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provided proof thereof as required below; </li>
<li>Any Health Care Provider from failing to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after October 18, 2021; and </li>
<li>Any operator of a Health Care Setting from permitting a Health Care Provider to engage in work for the operator as an employee, contractor, or volunteer in their capacity as a Health Care Provider after October 18, 2021 if the Health Care Provider has not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provided proof thereof as required below. Providers who do not work in a Health Care Setting must provide proof of vaccination to the operator of the facility in which the Provider works, if any, or, if requested, to a lawful authority. A lawful authority includes, but is not limited to, law enforcement, local health jurisdictions, and the state Department of Health.</li>
</ol>

Washington State Continues Efforts To Limit Spread Of Coronavirus

Viral Video: State Trooper Resigns, Slams Dem Gov’s Vaccine Mandate: ‘Jay Inslee Can Kiss My A**’

COVID-19 Vaccine

State Troopers

Democratic Washington State Governor Jay Inslee on Monday released his immediate plan to partially roll back COVID-19 restrictions on religious gatherings and sporting events. The plan&#8217;s primary focus, however, is on utilizing vaccine passports.
According to Inslee&#8217;s <a href="https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-update-spectator-event-and-religious-organization-guidance">office</a>, Washington spectator facilities and religious organizations may increase their attendance capacity by screening for COVID-19 vaccination status and adding areas for vaccinated people. This vaccine verification process can be done in several ways:
<blockquote>Under the updated guidance the following are acceptable as proof of full vaccination: Vaccination card (which includes name of person vaccinated, type of vaccine provided and date last dose administered) OR a photo of a vaccination card as a separate document OR a photo of the attendee’s vaccine card stored on a phone or electronic device OR documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record. Self-reported vaccination records that are not verified by a health care provider cannot be accepted.</blockquote>
Under Inslee&#8217;s new &#8220;Roadmap to Recovery&#8221; guidelines, religious gatherings and spectator events are able to increase their capacity, but only for &#8220;vaccinated sections.&#8221;
In Phase 2 of the plan, religious gatherings can increase their overall facility capacity to 50% if &#8220;vaccinated-only sections&#8221; are implemented.
Outdoor spectator events are allowed to expand their seating with &#8220;vaccinated sections&#8221; until they reach 50% capacity or 22,000 people, whichever is lower. The number of people in an unvaccinated section cannot exceed 9,000 people. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people are included in the total capacity count.
Indoor spectator events are given the green light to expand their total capacity to 50% capacity or 2,000 people, whichever is lower. That number includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated sections.
If a county is still in Phase 2, the indoor requirements differ. The number of unvaccinated people cannot exceed 200 people. That number jumps to 300 people if a room is greater than 100,000 square feet. In Phase 3, the number of unvaccinated people cannot exceed 400 people. That number, however, climbs to 600 if the facility&#8217;s room is greater than 100,000 square feet.
Each county&#8217;s reopening is based on the number of new COVID cases and hospitalization rates in the last week:
<div id="attachment_219166" style="width: 1258px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-219166" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-219166" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/WA-Reopening.jpeg" alt="" width="1248" height="170" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2021/05/WA-Reopening.jpeg 1248w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2021/05/WA-Reopening-300x41.jpeg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2021/05/WA-Reopening-1024x139.jpeg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2021/05/WA-Reopening-768x105.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1248px) 100vw, 1248px" />Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) Website</div>
As of now, the entire state is in Phase 3, with the exception of Cowlitz, Pierce, Ferry, and Whitman Counties. Those four counties are in Phase 2 of reopening. On Monday, Inslee halted phase movements until May 18.
&#8220;Today I announced a two-week pause on phase movement in the Healthy Washington reopening plan,&#8221; the governor wrote on Twitter. &#8220;All counties will remain in their current phase until we re-evaluate.&#8221;
&#8220;Current data suggests that Washington&#8217;s fourth wave of COVID-19 is leveling out,&#8221; he said in a follow-up tweet. &#8220;Our economy is beginning to show early signs of growth and we know vaccines are the ticket to further reopening — as long as we adhere to public health guidance until enough people are vaccinated.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Current data suggests that Washington&#39;s fourth wave of COVID-19 is leveling out.
Our economy is beginning to show early signs of growth and we know vaccines are the ticket to further reopening — as long as we adhere to public health guidance until enough people are vaccinated.
&mdash; Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovInslee/status/1389645106349633537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Other states, including <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/idaho-becomes-fourth-state-to-ban-vaccine-passports">neighboring Idaho</a>, have banned vaccine passports from being utilized before residents can obtain specific goods or services. Other states to outlaw vaccine passports include Florida, Texas, and Utah.

Coronavirus Pandemic Causes Climate Of Anxiety And Changing Routines In America

WA State’s Reopening ‘Plan’ Includes Vaccine Passports For Religious Gatherings, Sporting Events

COVID

Vaccines

A newly formed coalition working under the Black Lives Matter rallying cry has launched an effort to urge the Washington state legislature to implement its bold agenda.
The Seattle Times <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/new-washington-black-lives-matter-alliance-lobbies-for-changes-at-legislature-after-a-year-of-protests-and-organizing/">reports</a>, “a new statewide advocacy group” called the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance has started lobbying lawmakers “to address racial equity across society.” According to the outlet, the partnership was “organized in part by Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County” and “emerged after a year of widespread social justice protests.”
However, neither group is affiliated with the Black Lives Matter Global Network, which <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/10/black-lives-matter-organization-biden-444097">reportedly</a> took in more than $13 million last summer after George Floyd’s death sparked demonstrations and civil unrest nationwide demanding systemic change.
The Times reported that “the group is seeking a statewide declaration for Gov. Jay Inslee that racism is a public health crisis; an end to Washington’s ban on affirmative action; changes in police tactics and law enforcement accountability; investments in Black arts and culture; and more education funding through a new tax on capital gains.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Create Economic Freedom &#8211; Black people have always been a critical engine of wealth creation in this county. We should feel the economic freedom we create. (2/9) <a href="https://t.co/aoCZNNQCGf">pic.twitter.com/aoCZNNQCGf</a>
&mdash; BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLMSeattleKC/status/1339759912004374528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The alliance “also wants to prohibit the disclosure of bankruptcies, convictions and evictions on rental applications,” the report said.
“It’s a broad push, recognizing that racism is in every facet of our lives,” said Marlon Brown, a steering committee member for the alliance, in an interview with the Times. “It’s never happened, we’re going to be pushing at all of these at the same time.”
Mr. Brown is part of BLM Seattle-King County. The Washington BLM Alliance’s website <a href="https://blmalliancewa.org/about">says</a> that the group is “led by Black leaders working for Black communities across the state” and “represents a mandate from the people: to protect and liberate Black Lives.” It vows to “carry the fight from the streets to Olympia this January.”
The steering committee also includes Dr. Shari Clark, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Eastern Washington University; Kiantha Duncan, President of the NAACP’s Spokane chapter; KJ January, Constituency Outreach Manager at the Washington State Democratic Party; Michelle Merriweather, President and CEO at Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, and others.
Representatives from Gov. Inslee’s office have met with the coalition members and plan to continue talks in the future. In an email to the Times, Inslee spokesman Mike Faulk reportedly said the governor’s vision is “broadly aligned” with the objectives put forth by the alliance.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The 2021 legislative session kicks off on January 11th, and the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance is demanding that our elected officials dismantle racist laws and policies and prioritize legislation for Black Lives. 
Read the full agenda here: <a href="https://t.co/cIpKRqoJZj">https://t.co/cIpKRqoJZj</a> <a href="https://t.co/tBjB02dZl4">pic.twitter.com/tBjB02dZl4</a>
&mdash; BlackLivesSeattleKC (@BLMSeattleKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLMSeattleKC/status/1343751353089155072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Washington BLM Alliance promises not to stop until:
<ul>
<li>
<blockquote>Black culture is honored, protected and celebrated.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Black people have the resources to pursue economic freedom and build generational wealth. </blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Black people have the same expectation of safety that others have and are not subjected to extrajudicial punishment.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>The physical and mental health of Black people is a priority.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Black children are supported in education.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>Black people and families are safely housed.</blockquote>
</li>
<li>
<blockquote>And the treaties are honored. Because indigenous sovereignty and Black liberation are intertwined.</blockquote>
</li>
</ul>
Other <a href="https://blmalliancewa.org/our-agenda">priorities</a> include increasing Washington’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, ending youth incarceration, ending contracts with private prisons, stopping the enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences, ending money bail and pre-trial detention, making police accountable, extending the evictions moratorium until 2025, defunding school police, to “ensure access to culturally responsive childcare” and “ensure Black communities have food access and security for all.”

Protests Continue Across The Country In Reaction To Death Of George Floyd

New ‘Washington BLM Alliance’ Begins Lobbying State Legislature, Demands Gov. Inslee Declare Racism A Public Health Crisis

The owner of a gym in Graham, Washington, has vowed to remain open despite a series of hefty fines levied by the state for disobeying Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s restrictions intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.
<a href="https://www.thenewstribune.com/article247785595.html">According</a> to the News Tribune, “Graham Fitness was hit with eight violations totaling $77,112 by the state Department of Labor &amp; Industries on Friday for violating the Safe Start mandate to close up shop.” The outlet described the penalty as the state’s “largest pandemic fine to date,” noting that the total breaks down to $9,639 per day.
“They can fine me whatever they want,” owner Michael Knick told the News Tribune on Friday. “I don’t have it.”
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BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KingInslee?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KingInslee</a>&#39;s bureaucrats slap another brave biz owner with restraining order.
&quot;They could fine me a million $$/a day what does it matter if my business is going to shut down if I shut down?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/masktyranny?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#masktyranny</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OpenWashington?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OpenWashington</a><a href="https://twitter.com/OlympiaJoe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlympiaJoe</a> @TJMartinell <a href="https://twitter.com/theolympian?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@theolympian</a> <a href="https://t.co/2c1SZNAW0S">pic.twitter.com/2c1SZNAW0S</a>
&mdash; Freedom Foundation (GETTR: @freedomfdtn) (@FreedomFdtn) <a href="https://twitter.com/FreedomFdtn/status/1334277856239742978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As the News Tribune reported, Gov. Inslee’s restrictions prohibit indoor gyms and fitness centers from operating, and:
<blockquote>The gym was ordered to close and cease operations on Dec. 2. L&amp;I issued an order and notice of immediate restraint to the business after complaints were received in late November, according to L&amp;I spokesman Tim Church.
The daily fines issued Friday cover Nov. 30 – Dec. 7 and are L&amp;I’s next step in getting Knick to shut his business down. 
“These are citations and fines for violations that occurred,” Church said Friday. “He had employees and continued to be open, putting them at risk.” …
On Dec. 6, Knick posted on social media that he no longer had employees working at the gym. The gym employs 15 people, all of whom were at home with pay Friday, Knick said. That means he doesn’t fall under L&amp;I’s jurisdiction, he said Friday.</blockquote>
According to Knick, his gym has some coronavirus protocols in place but does not require members to wear face coverings. Knick said he believes the state agency targeted his business because he has collaborated with the Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit that has filed lawsuits in Washington and other states in response to overreaching coronavirus mitigation policies.
In a recent press release, the organization’s national director <a href="https://www.freedomfoundation.com/covid-19/freedom-foundation-statement-on-gov-jay-inslees-continued-shutdowns/">compared</a> Gov. Inslee to a fictional Dr. Seuss character, the Grinch, claiming he is “trying to cancel Christmas and New Years for millions of families and businesses.”
Inslee recently <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/gov-inslee-extends-covid-19-restrictions-on-gatherings-restaurants-gyms-to-jan-4/">extended</a> Washington’s enhanced COVID-19 rules until at least January 4.
“They’re not gonna give 100% of small businesses fines,” Knick told the News Tribune. “But, if there’s only one or two of us that stick our neck out there, they’re gonna try and make examples of us.”
The Freedom Foundation helped Mr. Knick publicize his situation and <a href="https://www.freedomfoundation.com/covid-19/gov-jay-inslee-you-need-to-take-a-step-back/">pledged</a> to stand by “brave business owners against destructive government by bureaucrats who haven’t had to miss a paycheck.”
In a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHkJxsB4qJk">video</a> uploaded to the Freedom Foundation’s YouTube channel earlier this month, Knick said that Inslee’s directive has been “detrimental to a lot of the mom-and-pop shops” in the state. He urged the governor to “take a big step back and look at all the damage you’re doing and all the people that you’re hurting.”
“If the government comes and forces me to close, they could take me to jail,” he said in the video. “They could give us a bunch of fines. We’re not too worried about that. They can fine me $1 million a day. What does it matter if my business is going to shut down if I shut down?”
On Friday, Knick <a href="https://www.thenewstribune.com/article247785595.html">told</a> the News Tribune: “I guess I’ll just have to go bankrupt and open up as another LLC and play the game.”

Inside A Crunch Gym As San Francisco Gyms Reopen

Gym In Washington State Fined Nearly $10k Per Day For Defying COVID-19 Orders

A Broadway actor who survived COVID-19 took heat for a Sunday post in which he expressed his intention to &#8220;respectfully disobey&#8221; Washington state&#8217;s restrictions on church gatherings and indoor singing.
Chad Kimball, a Seattle native who was nominated in 2011 for a Tony for his performance in &#8220;Memphis,&#8221; also hit out at Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, suggesting that his renewed lockdown orders are an example of &#8220;gathering &#8216;benevolent&#8217; TYRANNY.&#8221;
Posting a picture of the lockdown order that caps religious services in Washington state at 25% occupancy or 200 people, Kimball highlighted the part of the regulation that prohibits congregational singing and wrote, &#8220;Respectfully, I will never allow a Governor, or anyone, to stop me from SINGING, let alone sing in worship to my God. Folks, absolute POWER corrupts ABSOLUTELY. This is not about safety. It’s about POWER. I will respectfully disobey these unlawful orders.&#8221;
&#8220;To be clear: nobody is going maskless,&#8221; Kimball added. &#8220;The overreach &#8211; in my opinion! &#8211; is not being able to sing even WITH a mask. No singing WITH a mask ON. Everyone will continue wearing masks. With respect and with hope and with care.&#8221;
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To be clear: nobody is going maskless. The overreach &#8211; in my opinion! &#8211; is not being able to sing even WITH a mask. No singing WITH a mask ON. Everyone will continue wearing masks. With respect and with hope and with care.
&mdash; Chad Kimball (@chadkimball1) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadkimball1/status/1328197111012151296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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I respectfully implore you to open your eyes to this swiftly gathering “benevolent” TYRANNY. HURTING MORE THAN HELPING. — “Inslee announces the shutdown of indoor dining at restaurants in Washington state as COVID-19 numbers spike – The Seattle Times <a href="https://t.co/UHoHL9vUn4">https://t.co/UHoHL9vUn4</a>
&mdash; Chad Kimball (@chadkimball1) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadkimball1/status/1328070441919934464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Kimball&#8217;s comments were met with criticism from some of his Broadway colleagues, such as Sharon Wheatley, who costarred with him in &#8220;Come From Away,&#8221; and wrote, &#8220;I respectfully totally and completely disagree with you. I respectfully feel you are very much on the wrong side of this. I FaceTimed with you when you had Covid, Chad. You were very sick. I remember. It scared me. I love you like a brother, but I disagree with you.&#8221;
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I respectfully totally and completely disagree with you. I respectfully feel you are very much on the wrong side of this. I FaceTimed with you when you had Covid, Chad. You were very sick. I remember. It scared me. I love you like a brother, but I disagree with you. ♥️
&mdash; sharon wheatley (@sswheatley) <a href="https://twitter.com/sswheatley/status/1328086639395147788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Julie Reiber Bennett, another of Kimball&#8217;s &#8220;Come From Away&#8221; costars, wrote, &#8220;Chad, you sound a lot like the Republican councilman I heard say &#8216;I WILL have a huge family Thanksgiving! Government can’t tell me how many people I have in my house.&#8217; Its ignorant. It’s arrogant. It’s selfish. It lacks ALL empathy for other humans except yourself. Unacceptable.&#8221;
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Chad, you sound a lot like the Republican councilman I heard say “I WILL have a huge family Thanksgiving! Government can’t tell me how many people I have in my house.” Its ignorant. It’s arrogant. It’s selfish. It lacks ALL empathy for other humans except yourself. Unacceptable.
&mdash; Julie Reiber Bennett (@juliereiber) <a href="https://twitter.com/juliereiber/status/1328160303289409536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Kimball, who is a Christian, chronicled his COVID-19 experience when he came down with it in March. He pointed to his faith as a source of hope during his illness, writing in part, &#8220;And everyone is experiencing loss. All of our earthly pleasures &#8211; the things we rely on, our freedom, the things that help us escape &#8211; have been ripped away. And the only thing standing are those aching questions &#8211; Who am I? WHOSE am I? What is the thing that LASTS? Where does my strength come from? where does HOPE come from? These are questions I’ve been asking myself. So. We all stand here naked and apart from our comforts and pleasures. An we’ve got time to think!&#8221;
On Sunday, Inslee joined several other Democratic governors by renewing his state&#8217;s lockdown orders. As The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-democratic-governor-restricts-indoor-social-gatherings-for-the-next-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reported</a>:
<blockquote>Washington Governor Jay Inslee (D) called a rare news conference on Sunday to order broad, four-week restrictions intended to contain a “third wave” of coronavirus transmission he says is rapidly spreading across the state.
Inslee announced a ban on multi-household indoor social gatherings unless the guests quarantine for 14 days prior to the occasion, or quarantine for seven days and receive a negative COVID-19 test 48 hours before the event. The <a href="https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-statewide-restrictions-for-four-weeks-c0b7da87d34e">restrictions</a> also prohibit indoor dining at restaurants and bars, while imposing a 25% occupancy limit for grocery and retail stores.
Most of the changes <a href="https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces-statewide-restrictions-for-four-weeks-c0b7da87d34e">take effect</a> on Monday at 11:59 p.m. local time through December 14. However, changes applying to restaurants and bars begin Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.
Religious services will also be limited to a quarter capacity, or no more than 200 people, whichever is fewer. No choirs or congregational singing permitted. Face coverings required at all times.
Outdoor gatherings are capped to no more than five persons.</blockquote>
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/washington-democratic-governor-restricts-indoor-social-gatherings-for-the-next-month" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Washington Democratic Governor Restricts Indoor Social Gatherings For The Next Month</a>

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