As demonstrations are planned across Washington this weekend, I want to reaffirm the right of every person to raise their voice through peaceful protest. It’s not just a constitutional right—it’s a reflection of who we are as a state that values civic engagement, accountability, and justice.
Violence and vandalism have no place in these moments. I condemn actions that are not peaceably assembling. They endanger our communities and distract from the real issues that drive people to the streets. I join state and local leaders in urging peaceful demonstration and denouncing any escalation—whether from organized agitators seeking to incite violence or from individuals attending the protest themselves. Those behaviors are not acceptable.
In the Legislature, I’ve been proud to support policies that protect these fundamental rights and invest in safer neighborhoods and have honored the right of those to engage in democracy. Our communities are strongest when we come together with purpose, not division. I encourage everyone who chooses to protest this weekend to do so peacefully, powerfully, and with respect for one another. Your voice matters—and how we use it matters just as much.