A national ‘No Kings’ rally on Saturday is expected to bring over 700 protesters along Hwy 20 south of the school bus parking lot in Twisp.
“We had over 700 protesters at the last ‘No Kings’ event and it appears that we could have more than that this Saturday,” Isabelle Spohn told the Twisp Town Council on Tuesday.
The protesters have conducted peaceful demonstrations every Saturday since Feb. 17. Tomorrow’s rally will be held noon to 1 pm.
Spohn said a few drivers opposed to the demonstrations applied what’s called “rollin’ coal” at the demonstrators. Rollin’ coal involves modifying a diesel engine to deliberately emit large clouds of black or grey diesel exhaust. It has been used against demonstrators as a form of protest of its own. Spohn said the practice is illegal in Washington and can be dangerous.
“In addition to the exhaust being highly toxic, the process of “rollin’ coal” has at least once resulted in a vehicle skidding toward the sidewalk where protesters were standing,” said Spohn.
“The fact that it is illegal for owners of these trucks to modify their engines to produce the “rollin’ coal” effect (according to WA state law) is of great interest, as far as the failure of the town or county to address this illegality is concerned,” Spohn told MVE by email.
“It is frustrating that videos or photographs including exhaust, license plates, date and time, and name of the photographer are not considered admissible evidence of this violation by the town or county. It is virtually impossible for law enforcement officers to sit around hoping to witness this activity in person, as is currently required for enforcement (as stated by the town). Something needs to change. People in other locations across the country have been hospitalized due to this practice,” wrote Spohn.
“The high speed of traffic (far higher than the posted 25 mph) coming through town toward especially the southern end of the protest has resulted in close calls in the marked and patrolled crosswalks (with monitors carrying bright flags and wearing yellow vests). The failure or reluctance of some of this traffic to stop for crosswalks has created concerns.”
During the town council meeting on Tuesday, Twisp Mayor Hans Smith said Sheriff Paul Budrow will be at the event on Saturday. Spohn said she is not aware of additional law enforcement on Saturday.
“We are only expecting what the mayor said at town council last Tuesday- that Paul Budrow, the county sheriff, recognizes the recent increasing nationwide focus upon these protests, that he is concerned, and that he himself would have a presence before, during, and/or after the protest.”
A local group called Stand with Us has organized the protests. Spohn said the group coordinated with the national ‘No Kings’ movement only for the protests on Saturday and for the protest in June.
The group does not have a website but communicates events by email.
