Don’t Tread On Me: Seattle Police Officers Display Gadsden Flags From Patrol Cars To Protest State’s Vaccine Mandate
Seattle police patrol cars were pictured with Gadsden flags draped across their windows in protest against the state of Washington’s vaccine mandate taking effect.
“Some officers plan on taking time off to decide what they will do long term. They don’t seem eager to stay with SPD. Others explained that they are going to leave the SPD by the end of the year as a result of this,” Jason Rantz, host of the KTTH radio show, wrote on Twitter, accompanied by the images. “Officers took these photos in protest of the mandate.”
Some officers plan on taking time off to decide what they will do long term. They don’t seem eager to stay with SPD.
Others explained that they are going to leave the SPD by the end of the year as a result of this.
Officers took these photos in protest of the mandate. pic.twitter.com/0mkfdklo0F
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) October 18, 2021
By Monday, Washington state employees must present proof of vaccination. Officers will not be immediately terminated, according to Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan, but will face a “Loudermill hearing,” in which they can publicly explain why they refused to comply with the rule prior to being separated from the force.
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One Seattle company owner is already concerned that the regulation will result in personnel shortages and lengthier wait times for 911 calls.
“I feel like I’m on my own. I can’t get help from anywhere. I just open the door every day and don’t know if I’m going to go home safe and good to my family or if something is going to happen,” Youssef said. “The tourists are not going to come, the people are not going to go out of their home to buy things. It’s going to be like a ghost city,” Maher Youssef, owner of Youssef’s Pluto Organic Café in Belltown, told KING5 News last week.
Earlier last month, thousands gathered outside Washington state’s Capitol Building to protest the state’s vaccine mandate.
“We’re adults and we know how to take care of ourselves,” Kelly Coyle, a former state Department of Transportation employee, stated during the demonstration. “I don’t believe you should force someone to inject something in their body that they don’t want and lose your livelihood.” Coyle asserted that she was forced into early retirement as a result of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccination demand for public employees.
Protesters also sang the national anthem during the demonstration, while holding American flags and signs reading, “Stand for health freedom” and “No forced vaccination.”
One Washington State Patrol trooper recorded himself Friday, announcing that it was his final shift on the force due to his refusal to take the vaccine. Additionally, he sent a strong message to Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee.
“I wish I could say more, but this is it so state 10-34, this is the last time you’ll hear me in a state patrol car. And Jay Inslee can kiss my a–,” trooper Robert LaMay said in the video.
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He expressed gratitude for the services of other law enforcement officers and explained that he was asked to leave “because I am dirty.”
