Spokane Declares State of Emergency Amid Protests
Spokane, Washington, has announced a state of emergency following protests that escalated when Mayor Lisa Brown imposed a curfew, starting Wednesday at 9:30 PM. The curfew will last until 5 AM the next day.
The decision came amid protests stretching from Boone Avenue to Spokane Falls Boulevard, including Howard Street, Division Street, and Riverfront Park. These demonstrations were sparked by a call to action from former Spokane City Councilman Ben Staccato, who sought support for the detention of a Venezuelan man seeking asylum.
In his message, Staccato noted, “Three weeks ago, I became the legal guardian of a young man from Venezuela. He had filed all the necessary paperwork for his asylum hearing. They are currently detaining him and planning to send him to Tacoma. I’m going to sit in front of the bus. Feel free to join us… The Latino community needs support from everyone, not just tonight but moving forward.”
Both the Spokane Police and the county sheriff’s office were present at the scene, calling the gathering illegal. Spokane County Commissioner Josh Kerns commented on the situation, expressing his disapproval of the unrest. “The anxiety we saw in Spokane City is unacceptable. I stand with the law enforcement officers working hard to ensure safety for our residents and businesses,” he stated. He went on to commend their efforts, acknowledging their sacrifices for community safety.
Kerns emphasized, “I fully support the First Amendment rights of all individuals to protest peacefully, but that does not extend to violence, obstructing law enforcement, or endangering others.”
Mayor Brown addressed the protests as well, affirming the city’s respect for the rights of individuals while also supporting the protection of public property. “I encourage everyone to remain peaceful and secure. Our unity is stronger than any attempts to divide us,” she mentioned.
As tensions rose, some protesters were reportedly detained for failing to disperse, and tear gas was deployed by police to control the situation. Despite the chaos, the mayor reiterated a message of solidarity. “My heart goes out to those affected,” she concluded.
