An open carry protest scheduled for Thursday, June 4, in Auburn, was cancelled Wednesday evening. The protest organizer confirmed the protest cancellation with the Auburn Police Department, saying they will attempt to hold the protest another month.

Original Protest Details
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An Auburn resident contacted the City of Auburn to inform them of the open carry protest last week. According to the information provided to the city, about 200 protesters would be participating. The group planned to meet at E Main St. and Auburn Way S., then walk a planned route on the sidewalk. The route outlined to the city was from E Main St. north to 15th St. NE, then east on Harvey Rd., and finally west on E Main St. back to their starting point.

All members of the protest were expected to be open carrying unloaded AR-15s (Washington is an open carry state), according to the protest organizer. The group was to have an American flag and a “Don’t Tread On Me” flag. The specific message or reason for this protest was not shared.

The organizer told the city that this same type of protest was done in Wenatchee without issue. They gave the city prior notice in case there were any issues.

According to City of Auburn Director of Administration Dana Hinman, the city did not advertise the protest as they felt it would be low impact.

Protest Permit

City of Auburn Communications Division Manager Kalyn Brady confirmed no permit was issued for this protest. Though some cities and municipalities require permits for protests, the City of Auburn does not. City of Auburn Director of Administration Dana Hinman explained, “we issue right of way permits, but that is for a wide range of things. Construction, food trucks that want to park on the street, parades, etc. Anything that would cause the closure or restrict public access to a public right of way.”

As the group would be on sidewalks, no permit was needed.

Thursday’s Protest Cancelled, Future Demonstration Expected

Having been communicating and working with the group, the city “asked them to postpone [the protest] due to the impact on the community. [As], while successful on all accounts, Tuesday was a strain on our residents, city staff, and especially downtown businesses and residents,” said Hinman.

According to Hinman, the group was very understanding and will march another time. “We very much appreciate that,” said Hinman. “It wasn’t that we told them they couldn’t’ [protest], and up until yesterday evening, we were proceeding as if it was going ahead as planned.”

“It would be a direct violation of their first amendment rights to prohibit them from peacefully assembling,” continued Hinman. “That is exactly the definition of the government infringing on ones’ right to free speech. Just as we supported Black Lives Matter, we will support this group as well. Our jobs as government officials is to support and defend the constitution. We don’t get to choose the parts we like or don’t like.”

Note: The Auburn Police Department and Auburn Mayor’s office did not know the protest group’s name. The Auburn Examiner was unable to locate the group’s name or information on the previous protest in Wenatchee. We will not publish the organizer’s name out of respect for their privacy. As with Tuesday’s rally, the Auburn Examiner had planned coverage for this protest. We will provide coverage if and when this protest is held in Auburn.