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‘Economic terrorism’ bill gets cool response from Port of Olympia

By Rolf Boone, The Olympian
Published: November 18, 2016, 10:11am

Two Port of Olympia commissioners said this week that a proposed bill to “criminalize economic terrorism” – partly inspired in response to an anti-fracking protest downtown – is unnecessary and that there are better ways to resolve the blockade.

Commissioners Joe Downing and E.J. Zita were asked to respond to a bill proposed for next year by state Sen. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, that would increase the penalty for those “protests that block transportation and commerce, cause property damage, threaten jobs and put public safety at risk.”

Commissioner Bill McGregor could not be reached.

The proposed legislation, which was announced Wednesday, would increase the penalty to a Class C felony from a misdemeanor. It also would allow for prosecutors to go after those who sponsor, or fund, such protests. It would not apply to peaceful protests, such as pickets and strikes.

In an email shared with The Olympian, Commissioner Zita took a dim view of the lawmaker’s proposal.

“The constitutionality of the state Legislator’s recommendations are under serious question,” she said.

Instead, she would like to see the port follow the city of Olympia’s example by trying to reach a peaceful resolution.

“I hope the port will follow the city’s good example and work together to de-escalate the situation, instead of escalating it,” Zita said.

“I’m not sure the state needs another bill in that regard,” added Commissioner Joe Downing.

After doing his own research, Downing followed up with an email to The Olympian that showed existing state and federal laws that can be imposed on those who interfere with railroads. And both are already considered felonies.

“I hear their concerns,” said Downing about the protest that began on Nov. 11 and later set up camp on railroad tracks in the area of Seventh Avenue and Jefferson Street. Trains leaving the port take that same route through town.

“The protest is valid and they got their message across,” Downing said. “Beyond that, actually interfering with trains is not a good thing.”

The group is protesting the oil and gas removal process known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and the port’s ties to that industry. The port handles a cargo called ceramic proppants, or fracking sand, that is used in that extraction process in places like North Dakota and Wyoming.

Critics of fracking say it is harmful to the environment, fouling ground and surface water, and has caused earthquakes in places not known for seismic activity. Supporters say the environmental effects are inconclusive and that it promotes energy independence for the U.S.

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