Right-Wing Militia Announces Plans To Occupy WA Capitol: Report

OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Three Percenters, a right-wing militia organization, is calling on members to take part in an armed occupation of Washington's Legislative Building in Olympia, according to a recent report by the Tacoma News Tribune.

In an email sent to supporters and obtained by the News Tribune, the group details plans to force their way through the building's "gauntleted entrances" and eventually occupy galleries in each chamber of the building. The proposed occupation would begin the night of Jan. 10, just hours before the legislature is expected to begin their 2021 session online. The group says their occupation is a direct response to the state's plans for a remote session, which they claim is unconstitutional.

On their website, the Three Percenters say they are not anti-government, but anti-corruption. However, state lawmakers say: there's nothing corrupt about holding the session remotely during the pandemic.

Speaker Laurie Jinkins, who represents Washington's 27th Legislative District, has defended the legislature's decision to meet remotely, saying it is necessary to protect the health of government employees during the current, record-breaking surge in COVID-19 transmissions. Jinkins also noted that the session would still be streamed live over TVW, and that legislators will still be held accountable to the people of Washington. In an interview with the News Tribune, Jinkins also questioned the motives driving the Three Percenters' occupation.

“It feels a little bit anti-democratic, actually,” Jinkins told the Tacoma News Tribune. “I think if people want democracy to happen, then they should let the session operate.”

The News Tribune also contacted the Department of Enterprise Services, who manage Capitol security. They said they were aware of the threats posed by the militia, but declined to explain how they were planning to respond to the protest.

In their call to action, the Washington State Three Percenters reportedly told supporters that their occupation would be non-violent, but there have been several violent confrontations at the capital recently. On Dec. 12 two opposing protests collided near the Legislative Building, which ended with one protester shooting another.

The Washington Three Percenters have also been in the news recently thanks to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, who pranked an earlier rally of theirs in June — pretending to be a bluegrass singer and taking the stage to lead the Three Percenters crowd in a singalong tune containing racist lyrics.

Read the full report from the Tacoma News Tribune.