Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

UPDATE: The bill had until February 4 to pass through the committee, and did not reach the deadline. HB 1802 failed.

Rep. Jenny Graham (R- Spokane) introduced House Bill 1802 this legislative session, which would make it illegal for people to be within 25 feet of law enforcement officers and first responders after a verbal warning. The bill’s first reading was on February 3, and has since been referred to the House Community Safety Committee.

“After receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a law enforcement officer or other first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her official powers or duties, knowingly and willfully violates such warning and approaches or remains within 25 feet of the law enforcement officer or other first responder,” according to the bill text.

For people approaching first responders and law enforcement officers to be charged with a gross misdemeanor, they would have to threaten responders with physical harm, and “harass” them, leaving this term vague and open to interpretation.

The bill defines first responders to include firefighters, and current or former members of the Washington Nation Guard who are responding to emergencies. Law enforcement officials mean “any general authority, limited authority, or specially commissioned Washington peace officer or federal peace officer as those terms are defined,” the text stated.

Across the nation, local law enforcement officials have repeatedly attacked communities and defended the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) kidnapping operations, oftentimes using physical force like tackling or spraying people with pepper balls and spray.

If HB 1802 were to pass this legislative session, community members and protesters would be further prohibited from protecting their neighbors targeted by DHS and ICE due to forced distancing and legal repercussions, that can impact housing and employment during an increasingly challenging economy.

TtS will continue to follow this bill through the legislative session.

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