Rep. Tarra Simmons, a Democratic lawmaker from Bremerton, Washington, is speaking out after a protest took place outside her home over the weekend. The demonstration, which Simmons said was attended by around 20 to 25 protesters, occurred after the legislator hosted two town hall events in her district on Saturday. Although Simmons initially planned to stop at home after her first event, she received calls from neighbors informing her about the protest, leading her to stay away from her residence.
“I believe that people should have a right to free speech and assembly, I just wish they’d do it at my office or the Capitol,” Simmons shared on Tuesday, expressing her frustration with the protest’s location.
The Protest and Its Organizer
The protest was organized by Matthew Adams, a former candidate for Bremerton City Council. Adams, who took credit for organizing the demonstration, said that the group remained on public property during the protest, which lasted for about an hour. “We were pretty respectful,” Adams commented.
Adams explained that the protest was aimed at Simmons due to her stance on public safety. As someone who was once incarcerated for theft, drug charges, and firearm offenses, Simmons has long advocated for the rights and improved conditions of people in the criminal justice system, including those in prison.
“Criminals come to our homes, so why can’t we go to theirs?” Adams said, justifying the protest.
Some signs at the protest featured a mugshot of Simmons, while others referred to her as a “Tarra-ist,” a play on words linking her to terrorism.
Simmons Responds to the Harassment
Simmons, who was elected to the state legislature in 2020, has focused much of her career on eliminating the stigma that individuals face long after they leave prison. Her criminal record was expunged, and she has worked to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals are given the chance to rebuild their lives.
“This harassment could lead people to relapse and recidivate,” Simmons said, explaining that ongoing public harassment of individuals who have been incarcerated only worsens their chances of reintegrating into society. “Lack of opportunity and constant harassment of people who have been incarcerated is what I’m trying to fight.”
Bipartisan Criticism of the Protest
The protest outside Simmons’ home sparked condemnation from lawmakers across party lines.
House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon, a Democrat from West Seattle, said, “I think it is out of line for people to be targeted at their private homes for their political views.”
House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, a Republican from Auburn, agreed that protesting at someone’s home was unacceptable. “I don’t think it’s morally right to be harassing folks in their own home and making them feel unsafe,” he said. However, Stokesbary also criticized Simmons’ approach to crime, calling her “soft on crime.”
One of Simmons’ proposals, House Bill 1125, aimed at allowing felony offenders to petition for a new prison sentence, failed to pass the House before a key deadline. As a result, the bill is likely dead for the year. Despite the failure of the bill, Stokesbary expressed his concerns over the protest.
“By protesting at her house, you lose the very good message, which is that Tarra Simmons wants to let criminals out of jail early, and instead, how the protest was conducted was the story,” Stokesbary said. “I don’t think that’s wise.”
Stokesbary also hoped that Democratic leaders would speak out against protests at the homes of Republican lawmakers, citing past demonstrations by the Washington Education Association.
Demonstrators Continue to Target Simmons
Following the protest outside Simmons’ home, the demonstrators continued their efforts by showing up at her town hall in Bremerton. Simmons attended the town hall with her seatmates.
Adams, who organized the protest, admitted to calling Simmons a “scumbag” at the event. Despite his strong criticism of Simmons, he stated that he would not plan another similar protest, though he believed this one had been effective.
Calls for Greater Civility in Politics
The protest at Simmons’ home comes amid growing concerns about the increasing lack of civility in politics. Washington’s Lt. Governor, Denny Heck, has been an advocate for improving the tone of political discourse. Heck has championed the Project for Civic Health, a joint initiative with the University of Washington, the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, and the William D. Ruckelshaus Center.
A report from the project found that governing at the local level has become more challenging, with several mayors reporting protests outside their homes. One mayor even experienced a protest during a wedding.
“The incapacity for civil dialogue across differing opinions is a serious disease of our body politic,” the report read.
The issue of protests at the homes of elected officials has sparked broader conversations about the need for political civility and mutual respect. Whether or not people agree with Simmons’ stance on criminal justice reform, the debate over how to express political disagreement remains an important topic in the current political climate.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.