Across the country and here in Washington, we have seen troubling examples of people being harassed or even attacked simply because of what they believe or even what hat they wear. Earlier this year, a student of color was assaulted by faculty at Washington State University just for wearing a “MAGA” hat. No one should fear violence for expressing their opinions, no matter where they fall on the political spectrum.
This is why I’ve been speaking out and calling for action. Our state’s new Domestic Extremism and Mass Violence Task Force is currently developing recommendations on how to prevent violence, but its work so far has focused almost entirely on one side of the political spectrum while ignoring other serious incidents from the WTO riots in Seattle, the leftist takeover of parts of Seattle during the so-called, “Summer of Love,” to violent, antisemitic protests on college campuses.
If we want real solutions, we must be willing to look at all threats, regardless of ideology.
I also believe our laws need to do a better job of protecting political expression. Washington’s hate crime statute covers many categories like race, religion, and gender, but it doesn’t include political belief or affiliation. To me, that’s a glaring gap, especially now.
I’ve pushed for changes to fix this, so that if someone is targeted because of their political views, the law treats it just as seriously as other hate-motivated violence. We must demand fairness, safety, and protection of the freedom of every Washingtonian to express their ideas without fear of violence.
Free speech is a cornerstone of our Republic. We may not always agree with one another, but we should all agree that violence and intimidation have no place in political discourse. As I continue this work in Olympia, I will keep pressing for a balanced approach that protects both public safety and your right to speak freely.
You can read more about what I’m calling for here: Read the Full Statement »
Together, we can make sure Washington remains a place where people feel safe to speak their minds and participate in our civic life.