Business leaders, others protest quarantine

SPOKANE -- More than 300 people turned out shortly after lunch Wednesday, April 22, to tell Gov. Inslee to reopen the state now.

As the crowd grew at the corner of North Lincoln Street and West Spokane Falls Boulevard, traffic increased as well.

Dozens of cars and pickups started circling the area, the drivers honking continuously.

The rally was organized by Patti Usselman, who lives in the Clear Lake area between Cheney and Medical Lake.

"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."

Her business, Patti Usselman Hair Co. of Spokane, fell victim to the governor's "stay home" quarantine.

"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."

Usselman was joined by business owners from Cheney, Airway Heights, Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and other areas.

Danny Nelson of Cheney was among those business owners involved in making the event happen.

Nelson owns and operates Hero Event Support, a Cheney-based company that provides sound systems and related support for major fundraisers throughout the region.

"We just a bunch of business owners who said enough," Nelson said of most of the protesters who arrived early for the 1 p.m. start of the event. "We want to go back to work."

"I want to work, too," added cosmetic tattoo artist Alicia Seyhanli of Spokane.

The event also piqued the interest of Jeff O'Shea of Liberty Lake, the founder of the Facebook group Reopen Eastern Washington.

O'Shea said the actions of protesters were helping give a unified voice to Eastern Washington, something he set out to do on social media.

Inland Applications owner Connor Tupper of Spokane Valley also participated in the protest because business has slowed dramatically for his computer company in just the last six weeks.

"We need to go back to work," he said. "We're adults, we can take take care of ourselves.

Spokane Valley resident Frankie Taylor-Fisher brought her dog and a flag to the protest.

"I'm just tired of my rights being taken away," she said.

Taylor-Fisher called Gov. Inslee "irrelevant" and out of touch with real Washingtonians.

"We're all essential," she said. "He should give up his paycheck and see how it feels."

Cheney business owner Derek Babcock agreed.

Babcock, who owns Arborist Tree Service, said he's still working because his business has been declared "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 stay 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.

Author Bio

Roger Harnack, Publisher

Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.

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