Inslee Issues Statement About Protesters — Claims Trump Fanning “Insubordination”

As thousands of protesters walked around the Captiol in Olympia, Gov. Jay Inslee was appearing on ABC TV's This Week program where he accused President Trump of encouraging protests around the nation, and referred to it as "insubordination."

Protesters Sunday voiced a variety of concerns, many of them unhappy with Inslee's choices for essential vs. non-essential business; lack of specific addressing of the private sector-economy over restarting; and what many said was an emphasis on 'government only' issues when it comes to COVID-19.

Critics quickly pounced on that word, insubordination, saying the word means being disobedient to authority. ReOpenWA on Facebook said because government  is supposed to work for the people, he has it backwards.

The Seattle Times estimated in excess of 2,000-2,500 participants, twice the previous expected number from Saturday.  Marchers had to walk in, as on Saturday, reports indicated Capitol Police closed off all parking lots around the Capitol and a number of sidewalks. It is not known if this was ordered by Inslee. A video circulated on Facebook by several groups showed barricades around an area called The Triangle near the Capitol, and blocked off lots.

His prepared statement read in part:

“These are difficult and frustrating times. I understand the urgency of this crisis, I support free speech. But crowd counts or speeches won’t determine our course. This isn’t about politics. It can only be about doing what is best for the health of all Washingtonians.”

He also urged Republican legislators, whom he claims are supporting the protesters, to  “speak out against such rhetoric from their members.”

Friday when asked by Q13Fox TV in Seattle about the pending rally, Inslee said people were welcome to express their First Amendment  rights but encouraging social distancing. However, his remarks on ABC TV appear to give a different view of the protest.