Socialist Lawmaker And Educators "Trespassed" During Sit-In To Demand Gov. Ferguson Taxes The Rich

A visitor services worker at the Washington State Capitol declared Rep. Shaun Scott (D-Seattle) and three Seattle educators trespassers for overstaying public hours during a two-hour sit-in at the Governor's office Wednesday evening. The group requested a meeting with Gov. Bob Ferguson to demand he tax the rich and to impress upon him the devastating consequences of the proposed cuts to education, healthcare, and, perhaps most compelling to the Governor, his own political ambition.

Unfortunately, while State lawmakers toiled over different budget cuts on the floor, Ferguson attended a fundraising gala in Seattle for the Housing Development Consortium, so his staff said he was unavailable.

"He's not here and he has no intention of returning," a visitor service worker said.

"Ever?" One activist said, almost gasping in excitement.

"It worked!" Another exclaimed.

The visitor service worker shook his head, but they got a laugh out of him.

A rather flustered Shane Esquibel, Ferguson's Chief of Staff, advised Scott and the educators to fill out a form to meet with the Governor. Educator Sean O'Keefe told The Burner that they already tried all the official channels to book a meeting with Ferguson, so they resorted to a sit-in.

"I don't know what else to do at this point," O'Keefe said.

Plus, an observer claimed that it took three weeks to schedule a meeting with Ferguson's staff through that online form. With the session supposedly wrapping on Sunday, they don't have time.

"It's very simple," Scott told the visitor services worker. "We want the Governor to show up for work. Now."

Eventually, security left the Governor’s office and the action cooled to casual chit chatting. The advocates left at 7pm when Scott had to return to the floor to vote.