Tri-Citians are Starting to Push Back on Coronavirus Restrictions

In these uncertain times, certain Tri-Citians think it's high time a more measured response across a lot of fronts is warranted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, hundreds of protesters inundated the boat launches at Columbia Point Marina in Richland and other river entry points across the Tri-Cities, openly questioning why, #LetUsFish, Washington is one of the only states in the Union where anglers are not allowed to fish. For many enthusiasts, this activity is inexpensive, a great way to bond with the family and is the ultimate social distancing outing. Many feel the wildly unpopular, in this part of the state, Gov. Jay Inslee, has gone too far infringing upon our liberties.

Water yesterday, Dam today.

A protest rally is scheduled on John Dam Plaza in Richland at 1:00 p.m. to call out Gov. Inslee's overly aggressive, they say, stay-home restrictions. Richland resident Christopher Michaud is the organizer of the protest and according to the Facebook event page Hazardous Liberty, as of this morning, over one hundred people have pledged to attend and just under 300 have shown an interest.

An excerpt from the post explains the thinking:

Article 1, Section 4 of the Washington State Constitution specifically states that the right of the people to peaceably assemble "shall never be abridged." Nothing - absolutely nothing - allows this, or any other, provision of the Constitution to be suspended. We cannot tolerate this attack on our liberties to go without response.

I know that there are many out there that will call this effort foolish – even reckless. There are some that will claim to believe in the constitution, yet they will also claim that the government’s actions in this case are justified. Or they will claim that now is not the time to have this fight. I simply and firmly disagree. If we assent to this violation, even for a short time, then we are assenting to future violations, more egregious and indefinite in their scope. We will be, in as real a sense as is possible, forging the chains of our own servitude. I am unwilling to remain idle while that happens, so long as I have the ability to resist it.

Let me be perfectly clear – I am NOT calling on people to be dismissive of the threat that the virus poses. I am NOT asking people to disregard the recommendations of the CDC and other health professionals. As much as is practical we will practice prudent distancing and PPE measures. Also, if you're feeling sick or know you've been exposed, or if you're in a high-risk category, please consider not attending. What I AM asking, is that the public servants in our government recognize the limits placed upon them by our constitutions.