Examiner – by Joe NewbyAbout 400 people showed up at the Spokane Valley, Washington, police department on East Sprague Avenue Saturday to send a message to Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich that they were not happy with him and the way his department has handled comments made by a deputy sheriff who said an armored vehicle was needed for Constitutionalists with guns. The comment was captured on video by an area resident who wondered why the department would need a vehicle designed for combat.
The viral video shows a deputy saying the vehicle is needed in part, because “a lot ofconstitutionalists and a lot of people that stockpile weapons, lots of ammunition.” While the comment sparked the protest, organizers said that was not the only concern. Other issues include the militarization of police and holding law enforcement accountable to the citizens they serve, KXLY reported.
The gathering — which nearly filled the parking lot — began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance and a moving rendition of “God Bless America.” Washington state Rep. Matt Shea, a Republican who represents the 4th Legislative District, former congressional candidate and constitutional activist Gavin Seim, and Justin Pimsanguan from Don’t Shoot Spokane, spoke at the event.
Shea said that Knezovich needs to apologize to the community and the American people for the comment made by his deputy or resign. He went on to say the sheriff should hold a Constitutional rights class for law enforcement. “And,” Shea said, “if he won’t do that, we call on him to resign. And if he won’t do that, we will recall this sheriff.”
After the video was released, Knezovich responded with a nine-minute video claiming the deputy’s comment was taken out of context. But Infowars released the entire five-minute video showing the comment was not cherry-picked or taken out of context.
“There is never a context or situation that would justify that comment,” Shea told the crowd. “A real leader would say I’m sorry, but that didn’t happen.”
“Let’s talk about context,” he added. “How about a sheriff who endorsed two Democrats over conservative Constitutionalists. And those Democrats believe in the same things the Southern Poverty Law Center believes in,” he noted after recalling how Knezovich brought the SPLC in to train deputies. “But,” he said later, “I’m gonna submit to you today that the Southern Poverty Law Center and the sheriff that backs them is the most dangerous organization in the country.”
Seim said part of the problem is that some police departments have lost respect for those they are supposed to serve. Worse yet, he added, they are becoming increasingly militarized. The solution, he explained, is for citizens to stand up against an overbearing and tyrannical government. Nothing, he told the crowd, terrifies bullies more than someone who stands up to them.
“Read my lips, Ozzie Knezovich, the people should be armed equal to the police” he said. “If they can have an MRAP, we can have a tank.”
“Let us stand while we can,” he added. “We are the sentinels of liberty,” he told the crowd, saying that “they” have “declared war” on “we the people.”
The event was led by Scott Maclay, president of the Rattlesnakes Motorcycle Club, the group that organized the protest. “It’s not a Republican issue, it’s not a Democrat issue, it’s an issue of principle,” he told KXLY. “It’s the principle, our belief in our Constitution, that holds this system together, and when you start allowing personalities to take precedent over those principles, this is the end result, and it will get worse.”
On Saturday, the Sheriff’s Department released a statement saying the deputy should have said “extremists” instead of “Constitutionalists.” The statement went on to say the department supports the Constitution, and pointed to Saturday’s protest as proof.
“We want to assure the citizens of Spokane County that their Sheriff’s Office upholds the Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, and that we are dedicated to defending it,” the department said. “This is evidenced by our welcoming of this peaceful demonstration at the Spokane Valley Police Precinct.” No deputies were seen at the protest.
The only extremists who threaten our country are the Obama/Holder Team Dark communist dictatorship and their junkyard dogs DHS, CIA and FBI
They are clearly the biggest terrorist group in the world working on behalf of their masters the Rothschild Banks
State and local governments and enforcement agencies need to stay firmly on the side of Constitutional Law and fend off this communist takeover by Obama/team dark
“… junkyard dogs DHS, CIA and FBI
They are clearly the biggest terrorist group in the world working on behalf of their masters the Rothschild Banks.”
Disagree, Debbie.
That would be Mossad.
All that vile pig was doing is telling the truth about them and it really should not come as a surprise to anyone! Certainly You don’t believe the BS that all of that military gear is there to protect you do you? This militant pig build up is for one thing and one thing only and that is to totally control the population that is not in lock step with jack boots. It is no surprise at all that they are being shot because they have no problem at all throwing a flash grenade in a bassinet with a baby in it or kicking your door in a 2AM and shooting you if you dare try to defend your family. If your pet so much as looks at them its a dead dog too. How can anyone not see this for what it is and the MSM is leading all of the sheep to a hole! The whole bunch of the feds have law enforcement kissing their ass’s for the ego boost and toys that they get to play with just like the MRAP’S!
“He should have said extremists”..In other words, he should have used the code word for constitutionalists and freedom loving Americans.
Wake up this is not a joke , it’s real ; These people are Nazis’ ; Remenber Hitler ! History always repeats it’s self and it’s doing it again . Now it’s F.E.M.A. Camps . , Happy camping , you’ll love it !!