Olympia protesters have been trying to attract attention lately, complaining that the Port of Olympia is doing what it’s supposed to do by providing a place where construction materials can be shipped. However, since the environmental extremists involved do not like what the materials could be used for – developing fracking wells in North Dakota – they have been trying to block railroad tracks, disrupting city council meetings, etc.
However, now The Olympian says the protesters have gone too far, by harassing Port of Olympia workers. The destruction of railroad property, the associated costs to the public to have the police clear out their illegal protest campground, and forcing a public council meeting to change locations were just a prelude to this latest overstep. As The Olympian opined, “the port actually plays a minor role as a materials supplier for an industry much larger than what is being challenged here. The port employees are pawns in this local drama and — if harassment is meant to punish those who earn a living (even remotely) by assisting oil extraction — then the wrong targets are being punished.”
Here’s hoping that the protesters themselves see some “punishment” soon for their law-breaking.
Arrest for Criminal trespass, fine and jail the “protestors”. Enough of this crap.
That or let the Dock Workers have a crack at these losers.
if they stop trying to block pipelines, we would have no need to frack
ENATOR DOUG ERICKSEN • GOP
42ND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT – WASHINGTON STATE SENATE
360-786-7682 | 800-562-6000 | P.O. Box 40442 Olympia, WA 98504-0442
For release: Media Contact:
Dec. 15, 2016 Erik Smith (360) 786-7037
Ericksen introduces Preventing Economic Disruption Act
Targets illegal acts intended to disrupt the economy
Holds planners and organizers of illegal acts accountable
Protects 1st Amendment rights of free speech, assembly, and petition
OLYMPIA – Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, introduced the Preventing
Economic Disruption Act (PEDA) Thursday for consideration during the
2017 legislative session.
The measure targets illegal activities
that aim to create economic harm by impeding legally permitted economic
activities. It allows prosecuting attorneys to file special charges that
increase penalties for misdemeanors and felonies.
“American
citizens have a constitutional right to assemble, speak freely, and
petition their government via protests,” Ericksen said. “There is no
constitutional right to harm other people or to harm the rights of other
American citizens.”