YAKIMA, Wash. – Dozens of protesters gathered in downtown Yakima to voice their concerns on free speech. The event, organized by the Central Washington Resistance, originally planned as an environmental protest, shifted its focus to freedom of speech.
Kristi Vlieger, who traveled from Granger, participated in her third protest with the group. She emphasized the importance of free speech in America.
“It’s part of the freedom to be who you are peacefully in America. And that’s what sets us apart from less free countries. It’s an important time to exercise our rights because they’re being attacked and eroded and the administration is doing it with our money,” said Vlieger.
Selah resident Sarah Nahpi expressed her views on the First Amendment, highlighting the importance of tolerance.
“The definition is allowing someone who you don’t like to say what you don’t like unimpeded. That’s tolerance. I think as Americans, we’ve forgotten what true tolerance is; tolerance is letting someone know you may not agree with and express themselves,” said Nahpi.
The protest theme changed after the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel late-night show. Nahpi stressed the power of individual protest.
“No one can truly control the individual. Rich people can threaten lawsuits and quell the echoes of truth. But the individual, the guy on the side of the road at the time, can’t be silenced unless he puts that sign down. And you don’t know how valuable that right is until you lose it,” said Nahpi.
