SPOKANE – An April 22 protest against Gov. Jay Inslee’s quarantine orders was led by several Cheney-Medical Lake area residents and business owners.
More than 300 people turned out for the protest on West Spokane Falls Boulevard, where motorists drove by honking support for the call to lift the coronavirus-related rules that shuttered businesses, hospitals and other aspects of life in Eastern Washington.
Clear Lake resident Patti Usselman, who owns Patti Usselman Hair Co. in Spokane, organized the protest.
“It’s important,” she said of the message she and others were sending to Gov. Jay Inslee. “My business is closed; I’m not able to work.”
Inslee has not yet given a date for when he’d allow “non-essential” businesses to open back up.
“My ability to earn a living has been stripped away,” she said, noting the governor, who appears to still be getting his hair done for his press conferences, doesn’t consider her business essential. “Who is to decide who is essential anyway.”
Inslee claimed on social media last week that his wife, Trudi Inslee, has been cutting his har.
Usselman was joined by business owners from Cheney, Airway Heights, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and other areas.
Cheney business owner Danny Nelson was also involved in making the protest happen.
Nelson owns and operates Hero Event Support, which provides sound systems and related support for fundraisers throughout the region.
“We’re just a bunch of businessowners who said enough,” Nelson said of most of the protesters. “We want to go back to work.”
Cheney business owner Derek Babcock agreed.
Babcock owns Arborist Tree Service and said he’s still working because his business has been deemed “essential.”
“I’m allowed to work because I’ve been given permission by our King Inslee,” he said.
His wife, Nancy Taylor-Babcock, joined him at the rally, carrying a small Gadsden flag and signs.
Taylor-Babcock called on Inslee to end the quarantine.
“The sick should stay home,” she said, noting there’s no reason healthy residents can’t rejoin the workforce.
Initiative guru and gubernatorial candidate Tim Eyman traveled across the state to attend the protest that also featured Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley.
Shea said Eastern Washington doesn’t need permission to go back to work.
“We are open for business,” he said, saying Gov. Inslee just needs to “get out of the way of our entrepreneurs and business people.
“We don’t need any help; just get out of the way.”
Shea called the quarantine “arbitrary and capricious,” noting that the governor speaks in generalities because the numbers don’t add up to the fear and hype he’s created.
Eyman took the opportunity to point out most government employees are all still getting. He also noted that those who give Gov. Inslee money are automatically declared “essential.”
With that, he busted out a check, knelt down on the sidewalk and wrote out a $50 donation to the his opponent’s re-election campaign.
“Now, I’m essential,” he said.
Both Eyman and Rep. Shea gave a shout out to Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier for leading his county in opposition to the quarantine.
Within five minutes of the Franklin County Commission meeting opening Tuesday morning, the board had a unanimous decision to allow residents to go back to work.
Eyman called on others to stand with Didier.
“Stand up for your rights,” he said. “He (Gov. Inslee) is not going to give them back to you.”
Eyman also called on the crowd to recognize Usselman for organizing the first of two protests in Spokane on April 22.
“Patti is the hero of the day,” he said.
“We all need to stand up and send a message,” she replied. “We want our jobs open now.”
Outside of business leaders, he protest attracted residents, musicians and religious leaders.
“Hillbilly” Robert Hawkins of Spokane sat just a few yards from the main area of the protest singing “Spokane Blues,” a song he made up to reflect the plight of downtown residents living under quarantine.
While some protesters enjoyed the little ditty, Pastor Jon Schrock talked to others about attending church services if they wanted an uplifting experience instead of quarantine.
Schrock said his Hope Baptist Church offers services each Sunday afternoon at 14504 W. Round Hollow Road, Airway Heights.
He offers a drive-in service that attracted upwards of 250 church-goers last Sunday.
“Church is an essential part of the community,” he said.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, columnist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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