Coronavirus update of Bellingham emergency powers stirs fear of martial law online
Bellingham city officials are being asked Monday, March, 23, to update an existing ordinance that gives the mayor emergency powers in the event of a natural disaster or similar crisis.
Under a measure enacted in 1977, Bellingham can create an Emergency Services Council, composed of the City Council members and headed by the mayor, that could act quickly outside normal governmental channels in times of natural disaster — and impose temporary limits on certain civil rights.
But those powers aren’t being invoked now, despite outcry on social media and from a candidate for governor, Mayor Seth Fleetwood said in a message posted Sunday at the city of Bellingham website.
“No action is being taken or proposed at this meeting that relates to banning guns, and any rumors about changes to firearms regulations, rumors about martial law, or rumors about closing city streets are false,” Fleetwood wrote. “The proposed changes will allow us to be more responsive to emergency needs while retaining important checks and balances in place through council oversight of mayoral actions,” Mayor Fleetwood said.
Many cities and states across the U.S. have similar measures on the books that give elected officials broad authority in a natural disaster, during civil unrest, or in a public health emergency such as the new coronavirus pandemic.
Whatcom County Councilmember Tyler Byrd said that Bellingham officials assured him the measure is being updated and no civil rights are being restricted at this time.
“These rules are already on the books,” Byrd said in an interview. “What we don’t want is people showing up en masse. It’s terrible optics and timing, but (Fleetwood) did an excellent job of addressing that online.”
Residents were being asked to watch the council meeting live online at the city’s website. In-person comments aren’t being allowed during the pandemic emergency because residents are being encouraged to stay home.
Residents can comment online or call city officials, the city said at its website.
Nevertheless, Republican candidate for governor Tim Eyman was encouraging residents to speak against the proposed changes.
“In 20-plus years of political activism, I’ve never seen a bunch of politicians show this much ignorance about our God-given rights,” he said in an email to his supporters. “These anti-Second Amendment provisions clearly violate the U.S. Constitution and our state Constitution.”
“It is beyond scary,’ Eyman wrote. “I will be there to speak out against these outrageous provisions because I’m very concerned the mayor and council will ignore us if all we do is send emails. In-person, vocal testimony has always been the most effective way to lobby politicians. Join me if you want to. I hope to see you there.”
