“We have reached a point of finality.” According to Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Auburn, his constituents have been expressing concerns about protesters blocking freeways.
A group of pro-Palestinian supporters caused a major disruption on Saturday when they blocked northbound traffic on Interstate 5 in Seattle for over five hours. This resulted in a six-mile backup of vehicles.
A multitude of protestors were captured on social media videos, congregating on the highway and fervently chanting slogans like “Hey hey, ho ho, the occupation has got to go!”
Barkis, the prime sponsor of House Bill 2358, is proposing stricter penalties for protesters who obstruct state highways.
“According to Barkis, the protest in downtown Seattle was orchestrated in violation of the law, with participants employing illegal tactics to disrupt traffic on the freeway,” reported the news. According to Barkis, two things caught his attention as he observed the events of Saturday.
“My first thought was why they are allowing this,” he said. “In the midst of it all, an ambulance sits, its purpose and activity shrouded in mystery. Could it be responding to a cardiac arrest or perhaps a woman in the throes of giving birth?”
He stated, “Regardless, it is being blocked in violation of the law.” Barkis entered Monday’s session with a strong determination to address the problem of protesters blocking the freeway.
“What is the current legal status?” he asked, rhetorically. “It has been discovered that blocking the freeway is actually illegal, although the law pertaining to this matter is considered to be quite lenient.”
“There seems to be a lack of consequences that make committing the crime or engaging in such actions not worth it,” he stated. A new bill, HB 2358, aims to impose stricter penalties on protesters who obstruct state highways.
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A proposed bill, HB 2358, aims to increase the severity of the offense of obstructing state highways to a Class C felony.
“That’s a significant penalty,” Barkis stated, particularly in cases where the obstruction posed a risk of injury, hindered the passage of an ambulance, or when individuals failed to disperse despite being instructed to do so. Individuals with previous convictions could potentially be subject to a minimum fine of $6,125 and a jail sentence of 60 days.
“If you’re a known organizer in charge of this whole thing, you also are subject to a Class C felony with an additional jail time penalty,” Barkis reiterated.
“The individuals involved in the recent protest on Saturday have a history of organizing similar demonstrations, such as the previous incident where they blocked the freeway. With the potential passing of this legislation, it is possible that individuals will reconsider engaging in such activities,” stated Barkis.
Barkis has reached out to the Washington State Patrol regarding the incident. According to news reports, it has been stated that prior to the protest, the WSP had received unverified information regarding a potential plan to obstruct the freeway.
In a recent news release, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) stated that they had formulated a contingency plan to ensure the safety of the public and traffic. Despite lacking specific details such as the time, location, and individuals involved, WSP emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety in their response.
During Saturday’s demonstration, a group of eight protesters strategically chained themselves to prevent the police from easily freeing them. According to WSP, handling this type of device requires personnel who are highly skilled and trained. They are considered to be among the most complex and difficult safety issues to resolve.
A legislation aimed at addressing the issue of protesters blocking freeways has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. However, it is yet to be scheduled for a public hearing in committee.
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