Gov. Inslee to meet with leaders of peaceful protests Wednesday

OLYMPIA, Wash. — At a Wednesday afternoon news conference, Gov. Jay Inlsee said he planned to meet with leaders of local peaceful protests later in the day as demonstrations continue around the state and nation following the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis Police Department custody.

Inslee specifically said he will meet with leaders of NOT THIS TIME! – a community organization who says its mission is “to educate the community, empower them to change policy and stand with the families impacted by police violence.”

NOT THIS TIME! was founded Andre Taylor after his brother Che’ was shot and killed by the Seattle Police Department on Feb. 21, 2016.

Click here for a complete background on the Che’ Taylor shooting.

Inslee said he also planned to meet with leaders of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County and The Urban League.

The Governor acknowledged the many peaceful protests held around the state while also noting the “unfortunate violence that has intruded” some of the demonstrations.

The governor said that the leadership he’s seen has helped prevent people from “hijacking” the central message of the protests.

“I believe we will be successful not allowing any violence to hijack the central need for us to bring justice to our community,” Inslee said.

Inslee discussed the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department’s investigation into the death of Manuel Ellis while in Tacoma Police Custody in March after the Pierce County Medical Examiner ruled Ellis died of respiratory arrest due to hypoxia due to physical restraint.

Click here for more information on the Ellis Investigation.

“I know finding out the full circumstances of that event is a top priority for (Tacoma Mayor) and it is a top priority for me,” Inslee said.

Inslee’s news conference came as thousands of protesters gathered for a sixth straight day in Seattle among other demonstrations held throughout the state.

Watch a full replay of Inslee’s news conference:

RAW: Gov. Inslee news conference as protests continue on June 3, 2020 RAW: Gov. Inslee news conference as protests continue on June 3, 2020

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