Protester disputes story of troopers barricaded in restroom

A protester said Sunday that Washington State Patrol troopers weren’t blocked from leaving the Heritage Park bathroom Saturday night, but that the troopers closed the door of the men’s bathroom as more protesters tried to enter it.

That’s according to Tye Gundel, one of about 40 demonstrators who gathered Saturday to participate in the gathering organized by the group Just Housing. Another demonstration was set for 6 p.m. Sunday, she said.

About 7 p.m. Saturday, the troopers were making their usual checks of the men’s and women’s bathrooms at Heritage Park before they were to be closed for the night. But this time they encountered a group of protesters who demanded that the facilities remain open for 24 hours, Trooper Brooke Bova said Sunday morning.

The Washington State Patrol is responsible for security at Heritage Park because it’s part of the state Capitol Campus.

The two troopers cleared the women’s bathroom, then found three men in the men’s bathroom who refused to leave. Two men eventually left, while a third man stayed put and was arrested. It was then that more demonstrators tried to enter the men’s bathroom, which led the troopers to keep the door shut, said Gundel, 22.

Olympia police were called for assistance, and as the size of the protest grew, Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies also were called on to help. The law enforcement response was estimated at about 30 officers.

A 37-year-old man was booked into the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor.

According to a news release, Just Housing wants:

- Suitable public property for tent encampments and for street and camp sweeps to end.

- Repeal of all laws that criminalize the homeless.

- Open public bathrooms that operate 24/7.

After the Saturday night demonstration, the Just Housing protesters marched down Fourth Avenue to Olympia City Hall, according to the release.