STATE NEWS: Protesters gather as Washington restaurants go to court – The Independent

Protesters gather at the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in support of Spiffys, which is going to court over remaining open despite the states COVID-19 restrictions. (Jared Wenzelburger photo)

(CLAUDIA YAW/Centralia Chronicle)

While Spiffys and Farm Boy Drive-in were in court Tuesday, protesters rallied outside the Lewis County Law and Justice Center in SW Washington in support of the restaurants that have become icons in the push to lift restrictions meant to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Although Spiffys was issued a continuance and will be back in court next week, Farm Boy Drive-in was found in contempt of court, with Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese ruling in favor of the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) and levying a fine of $2,000 for each day the restaurant continues to offer indoor dining, imposed retroactively from the first day the court issued its temporary restraining order, Dec. 15. Both restaurants have continued to offer indoor dining even after being issued an order of immediate restraint by L&I and then a temporary restraining order by their respective county courts.

Attorney Jason Celski, who is representing both restaurants, dismissed claims that the restaurant is offering indoor dining as hearsay, and said that I honestly do not know if theyre offering (indoor dining).

That did not convince Lanese, who said it was not a legal argument and that it was difficult to believe that Celski hadnt asked his client that question. Online, Farm Boy Drive-in has made it clear that they are choosing to offer indoor dining in defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee, who ordered a stop to the activity at the states restaurants and bars until Jan. 4. Lanese also noted that the declarations letters of support written by customers and supporters and submitted to the court by the defense made it abundantly clear that the restaurant has been willfully flouting statewide orders by allowing patrons to eat indoors.

My order did not prohibit Farm Boy from being open. My order did not prohibit them from employing individuals to prepare food to sell to customers nor did it prohibit anyone from being inside that dining establishment to acquire that food, he said. The only thing that my order prohibited was for those things to occur, and then for an individual, a customer, to remain inside that building to consume that food.

If Farm Boy Drive-in is able to prove that theyve come into compliance, Lanese ruled, the fines will be dropped.

But that doesnt appear to be the restaurants plan. Almost immediately after the judges ruling, owner Brian Robbins appeared at the Lewis County protest and was cheered on by a crowd of hundreds, some of who chanted dont pay it in regards to the new fines.

Earlier, Spiffys General Manager Rob Grant took to Facebook, urging supporters to attend and saying weve done nothing wrong.

We love you guys and we just want you to know that everything youve been doing, weve appreciated, Grant said. All you patriots, man, I tell you. We love you and we thank you and you guys are right on.

Since L&I first contacted Spiffys, far-right groups such as Patriot Prayer, militia group the Three Percenters and Ammon Bundys newest group Peoples Rights, formed to protest coronavirus mandates, have put their organizations support behind the restaurant and shown up to rallies. Spiffys continues to offer indoor dining despite having racked up over $100,000 in fines.

Patriot Prayer founder Joey Gibson helped organize the rally, directing supporters through Parler, a new social media site many conservatives have flocked to. Gibson also helped organize the recent freedom rally that drew in hundreds of out-of-towners to Mossyrock, where the citys mayor has said, without authority, that Inslees orders will not be recognized.

Last week, Gibson led Patriot Prayer members in an attempt to force their way into the Oregon state Capitol a demonstration that turned violent and led to several arrests. The Three Percenters, who have followed Gibson to protests in and around the county, were reported this week to have a similar plan for the Washington state Capitol.

Although some protesters were armed Tuesday and sheriffs office deputies were deployed to guard alternative entrances to the building, the protest remained peaceful. Several speakers denounced restrictions on businesses, questioned the science of the pandemic and called Inslee a tyrant. Some protesters peddled conspiracy theories about the pandemic, including that the virus is an attempt by China to engage in germ warfare.

The continued drama around Spiffys has in some instances gotten ugly. As promised, Peoples Rights identified an L&I employee involved in the Spiffys investigation, and this month protested outside his home.

In a video posted by Peoples Rights Washington, organizer Kelli Stewart, who was present at the first armed protest outside Spiffys, publicized the state employees name, age and address, comparing L&I to the Gestapo and encouraging viewers to take off your mask and open your business.

By the time were done we hope every neighbor out here understands what a little tyrant they have living in their neighborhood, Stewart said. Wed like you to leave Spiffys alone. We do not consent to the harassment of these businesses. Were paying your salary, were paying your mortgage, we pay for that spiffy little car in your driveway.

L&I spokesperson Dina Lorraine confirmed that it was the first time an employee had been identified and singled out by protesters.

You wouldnt have believed the emails that poor man has received, Lorraine said Tuesday. Were no longer putting our inspectors names on (orders of immediate restraint) because of that. So thats a change that has happened because of Spiffys.

Its a strategy Patriot Prayer has used before. In November, the group identified an Oregon Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) employee involved with the fining of a gym that had defied COVID-19 restrictions and protested outside their home.

Even with Spiffys court-ordered restraining order still in effect, and the restaurant still vulnerable to contempt of court charges, potential imprisonment and more fines, theres little sign that the establishment has plans to comply with state law. Last week, Lewis County Sheriff Rob Snaza publicly threw his support behind Spiffys, echoing ideas popular among protesters, that reopening businesses is a matter of constitutional rights. It was a public statement quickly and enthusiastically picked up by Spiffys owner and staff.

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STATE NEWS: Protesters gather as Washington restaurants go to court - The Independent