By Pepper Fisher
SEQUIM – Some restaurant owners and their employees are being approached and even harassed by one or more persons who are trying to get them to hang a flyer in their window that reads, in part: “We are a Constitutionally Compliant Business. We are not infringing on anyone’s unalienable rights. By law, we do not follow any of the governor’s, mayor’s, health department’s, or other government agency orders or suggestions pertaining to social distancing, mask wearing, or Vax ID/Passports.”
The information packet is being distributed by a group called the Constitutional Law Group. On their website, they describe themselves as “a team of volunteer Patriots.”
According to County Commissioner Mark Ozias, in at least one instance, the person claimed to be representing Mayor William Armacost. Ozias wrote an email to Armacost Thursday expressing his concerns. He related to Armacost the following story from a restaurant owner.
“A woman came into (X business) this morning telling one of our staff that she had information she wanted to leave on our counter and put in our window. She explained that she was representing the Mayor of Sequim. She was told no with the explanation of we don’t do politics and the woman would not take no for an answer. She continued to push. She was told no again and she still insisted on leaving her documents, insisting they be displayed. Our staff asked her to leave, she was beginning to interfere with our customers. She left the documents on the counter and then exited.”
Ozias goes on to say in his email, “I very much hope that the person, or people, who are engaging in this activity are NOT in fact representing you, and if that is the case, I would like to encourage you to be vocal about disavowing any association with this effort.”
We spoke with Mayor Armacost today and asked him that question directly.
“You know, I support people’s freedom of choice. The individuals that are going to the different businesses, I have not solicited, nor am I part of any organized group per say, other than I’m a very proud American. And the beauty that we have, that separates us, is that freedom of speech. And I applaud, not that I condone it, but when people stand up and take the initiative to have a voice and share it with their community, is a very positive thing.”
Ozias ended by saying “…the Resolution that Council passed on Monday has greatly heightened the level of confusion and has required the county to expend additional resource, time and effort to help ensure that Sequim-area businesses are in fact following the law and adhering to duly-issued health orders such as have been issued by Dr. Berry. While I respect Council’s right to weigh in any issue it wishes, in this case I hope you and your colleagues who voted in the affirmative will reflect upon the serious and negative implications of your action which immediately served to confuse some and to empower others to spread inaccurate information – none of which actually help our business community, or community-at-large, to recover.”