Citizens hold peaceful protest and express concerns and dismay at county commissioners’ hearing over passport mandate

Port Angeles, WA – Sept. 7, 2021    Citizen Review Staff

Approximately 120 citizens lined up outside the Clallam County Courthouse to sign up to testify and rally against the mandate for Vaccination “Passports” to enter restaurants and bars at the County Commissioners meeting held on Sept. 7, 2021 at 10 a.m.  The commissioners conducted their business, then opened for public comment about the mandate starting at 10:30 a.m.

The first to testify was Tim (Timothy) Wheeler, long-time Communist and leader of the “Health and Healing” coalition that promoted the MAT clinic in Sequim, WA.  His message was a demand to all people to comply with mandates and “Get Your Shots.”    Mr. Wheeler has been the editor & a writer for the Communist USA newspaper, Daily Worker, for over 43 years.  (See more about Wheeler’s history and activities here.)  In addition to acting as chair for the “Health and Healing” coalition, he is also part of the leadership for Sequim Good Governance League (SGGL), which is backing five candidates for Sequim city council.

Only 15 people were allowed in the room to testify at a time; people were led in and out of the room, because of Covid concerns.  They were also instructed to wear masks. Phone calls were also allowed. 

Forty-seven people testified, with approximately three hours of testimony.  Thirty-five people argued against the mandate and 12 people supported Dr. Allison (Unthank) Berry’s  vaccine mandate. 

Clallam County Commissioner Mark Ozias (D) facilitated the meeting and often interrupted those testifying, with various comments such as, ”put on your mask”. He also started off the testimonies with a hand-held letter, which he read at the beginning of the meeting. The letter he said, ”was from a lady”. The letter stated that she supported the mandate. It is unclear how he received the letter and who the author was as this information was not given.

Rose Marschall of Sequim spoke against the vaccine mandate. She refused the mask and then asked, “why pledge and then ignore the Constitution?” She stated that Dr. Berry ignored the Constitution.  She then asked if the three (3) Commissioners issued  this mandate.  (The commissioners sit on the board of health and the mandate was issued prior to a meeting.)

Anthony Banker of Sequim also refused the mask.  He accused Dr. Berry of neglectful leadership. “Do not mandate”,  he insisted. 

Harvey Kailen, of Sequim had a problem with masks and also objected to the mandate. (His mother Eloise Kailen was a longtime allergist in Clallam County).  He stated  that he researched and the health department test procedure was a sham. He insisted there are criminally wrong reports.  He claimed people are being hurt  by false reports. He said he contacted the commissioners with his research,  and had not heard back from them.

“Please wear masks at the podium”, insisted Mark Ozias again. He stated that there is a danger to others in the room. (The podium was 6 feet away from any individual – the prior space requirement suggested by the CDC guidelines.)

Karen (no last name) referred to the people who are hired to work.  She spoke of secret chambers and was concerned about the economy. 

Harmony Rudder complimented Dr. Berry and paid homage to “The Tribe”.  It was unclear about her reference to The Tribe.

Dr. James  Mantooth and his wife Robbie testified for the mandate. He speculated that people are polarized. His wife asked for more scientific rationale  information. She suggested that people be more civil. 

John Madden, a candidate for Port Angeles City Council stated he had a religious reason for not wearing a mask.  “Thank you for lying”, hollered Commissioner Ozias.  Madden said he has determined that all this is about control.  He referred to the peoples’ rights endowed by our Creator and the Constitution. 

Colin Ryan stated that the Covid threat is overriding the American Disabilities Act. He asked Ozias ,”Will the health department take away that right?” Ozias apparently refused to answer. 

Rebeccah said he agreed with the mandate. “There are consequences if not vaccinated”, said the Sequim resident.  

Susan Rodman, Port Angeles, cited the 14th Amendment.  She asked where the records are that support this mandate. She challenged Dr. Berry that the mandate is a violation of our rights.

Ronald Richmond, an unclear voice on the phone, made a serious comment. He referred to the Friday (Sept. 3) rally and the children who were taken there by their parents. He suggested that the children should be taken to CPS [Child Protective Services government agency] to educate them.

Dr. Eugene Turner, retired in Port Angeles,  and his wife Norma also testified in favor of the vaccine Mandate.

Of those who showed up, the supporters of the “no vaccine mandated passports” and “no mandated vaccines” far outweighed those who weighed in to give their support. The crowd was peaceful, yet vocal, in their opinions when it came to being forced to take a vaccine; especially when natural immunity wasn’t weighed in to the decision making process.