Inslee Addresses Turbulent Weekend Demonstrations

SEATTLE, WA — Gov. Inslee addressed the state Monday following a weekend of occasionally turbulent protests, expressing solidarity with protesters in their grief and desire for justice, but asking for an end to looting and property damage.

"I know that people are justifiably outraged at the killing of George Floyd," said Inslee. "The denial of one person's liberty, in this case was the denial of one person's life and when that happens everyone's liberty is reduced."

But, while the governor says outrage over police brutality and bias is justifiable, damage to the community is not. "Violence and destruction has no place in this, it is not productive and it is not constitutionally protected," said Inslee. "We know that those folks need to be criminally prosecuted as appropriate."

Late Sunday the governor ordered a statewide activation of the National Guard following unruly protests in Bellevue and Seattle. Monday, Inslee took time out of his conference to thank the guard for their quick response, and stress that the guard's deployment is not intended to suppress the message of the protest.

"The members of the guard are not some occupying force, they literally are our neighbors," said Inslee. "I should stress that the guard are unarmed peacekeepers."

When asked why the National Guard remained unarmed, state leaders defended the choice, saying more firepower could only escalate tensions higher.

"We're not armed because we don't want somebody shot by accident, and the more weapons there are at a site, the more likely you are to have an accidental shooting," said Washington National Guard Commander Major General Bret D. Daugherty.

Despite the deployment of the guard and the reports of looting and damage, Inslee says it remains essential that the many peaceful demonstrators have their voices heard.

"We just can't allow violence to hijack peaceful protest," said Inslee. "We will not allow that to obscure the justice of the underlying protest."

Inslee also noted that the coronavirus has had a disproportionately damaging effected on minorities, making this an especially fraught time for communities of color. "This has been a hard time for the state of Washington, and it's been the hardest for folks of color," said Inslee.

As for violence against protesters, Inslee said he supports and expects full independent investigations into police use of force. The Seattle Office of Police Accountability has received more than 12,000 complaints of police misconduct since protests began Friday.

Finally, Inslee dismissed President Trump's recent calls for governors to crack down on protests.

"They have been rooted in the desire to fan the flames of division," said Inslee. "I think the best thing the president can do right now is enjoy silence."

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12,000 Complaints Allege Police Misconduct At Seattle Protests