Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) issued the statement below Friday:
“President Trump’s assertion that he can federalize the National Guard without gubernatorial approval is deeply disturbing, and as we saw in court yesterday, completely incorrect. This militarization appears to be an attempt to provoke violence as Washingtonians stand up for their friends and neighbors who are currently being targeted at home, at school, and at work. We knew this was coming, and last session took action to help limit unauthorized National Guard deployments to the extent we’re able.
“We join people across our state in supporting the immigrants who live and work here, and who have made Washington home. We passed the Keep Washington Working Act to ensure that the private information of people in our state is protected so that all people living here can go about their daily lives without fear.
“We unequivocally support people’s constitutional right to protest and express their fundamental First Amendment freedom to do so. We look forward to seeing that right expressed throughout our state and nation this weekend. We also strongly encourage people to continue to keep their demonstrations peaceful and not feed into the narrative of the president and the propaganda of his enablers that there is violence and unrest in our cities. When we unite in peaceful protest, it makes our message and collective voice much more powerful.
“Washingtonians stick by their neighbors. We won’t let President Trump change our way of life.”
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