Washington Legislature begins Monday, despite protests

The 2021 Legislature meets for the first time Monday, despite safety concerns and strict pandemic protocols.

Section:Gallery

Mon., Jan. 11, 2021

A Washington State Patrol trooper talks with members of the Washington National Guard inside a fence surrounding the Capitol in anticipation of protests Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. According to organizers, some protesters are unhappy the Legislature will meeting virtually and in sessions not open to the public, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021 session which opens Monday. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated members of the National Guard this week to work with the Washington State Patrol to protect the Capitol campus.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Sen. Mike Padden, R-Spokane Valley, reads from a copy of the state constitution Jan. 11 at the Capitol in Olympia. Padden is one of four members on the Senate’s new Freedom Caucus.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Senators Joe Nguyen, right, D-White Center, Emily Randall, center, D-Bremerton, and Karen Keiser, D-Des Moines, sit socially distanced in the Senate Chambers Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Washington state's Legislature will open Monday under a large security presence because of concerns about efforts by armed groups who might try to disrupt the proceedings or occupy the Capitol, which is closed to the public due to the ongoing pandemic.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Members of the Washington National Guard stand at a fence surrounding the Capitol in anticipation of protests Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. According to organizers, some protesters are unhappy the Legislature will meeting virtually and in sessions not open to the public, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021 session which opens Monday. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated members of the National Guard this week to work with the Washington State Patrol to protect the Capitol campus.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Members of the Washington National Guard stand near a fence surrounding the Capitol in anticipation of protests Monday in Olympia. According to organizers, some protesters are unhappy the Legislature is meeting virtually and in sessions not open to the public, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
An armed protester stands outside the Capitol on Jan. 11 in Olympia.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
A member of the Washington National Guard stands at a fence surrounding the Capitol in anticipation of protests Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Olympia, Wash. According to organizers, some protesters are unhappy the Legislature will meeting virtually and in sessions not open to the public, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the 2021 session which opens Monday. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated members of the National Guard this week to work with the Washington State Patrol to protect the Capitol campus.

Ted S. Warren Associated Press
Kelly Stewart, of Vancouver, said she drove to Olympia Monday to see for herself the barriers to the public from attending the opening of the session. "I think it's egregious," she said, "Everybody should be here." Being able to watch all legislative activity on TVW or online isn't the same as watching it in person, although Stewart said she'd never attended a live session of the Legislature in the past. "Before this year, I never really got involved in politics," she said.

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Demonstrator outside the Legislative Building declined to give her name, but said she was a supporter of the 2018 initiative to increase police training and accountability, not a member of the nearby group protesting their inability to enter the Legislative Building and witness the first day of the session in person.

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A double line of Washington State Patrol officers restricts access to the Legislative Building on the opening day of the 2021 session.

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Demonstrator outside the fence surrounding the Legislative Building carries a sign suggesting President Donald Trump's name can be rendered through numerology to be "The Mark of the Beast" for the Anti-Christ mentioned in the Book of the Revelations.

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A group of protestors in fatigues and carrying weapons gather near the fence surrounding the Legislative Building Monday on the opening day of the 2021 session.

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