Washington residents report threats after naming businesses that could be violating coronavirus rule

[highplainsdem]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-residents-threatened-after-naming-open-businesses-as-protesters-gather-at-capitol-to-assail-coronavirus-closures/

OLYMPIA — As demonstrators of Washington’s stay-at-home order to slow the new coronavirus converged Saturday on the Capitol campus to again protest the restrictions, opposition has taken a darker turn online.

Two Facebook pages during the past week posted names, emails and phone numbers of state residents who had complained to the state about businesses allegedly violating Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order. Some of the complainants say the Facebook posts have generated threats of violence and harassment against them.

One group publicizing the names, the Washington Three Percenters, has promoted the stay-at-home protests, and one of its leaders spoke at Saturday’s demonstration.

On its Facebook page, the far-right group of self-described “God fearing Patriots,” had this message: “Want to snitch on your neighbor? Don’t expect to hide behind you (sic) computer screen.” With the message, the group provided a link to a spreadsheet containing the names and contact information of people who made reports to the state.

-snip-

[Faux pas]

1. Wonder

if they are financed by the hump's campaign, wall street or the corporations...or all three?

[RainCaster]

2. With help from Russia

Russian hackers have helped out

[Faux pas]

3. How

could I forget those EFFERS?! and duh.

[Me.]

4. How Did They Get The Names Etc.?

[CaptYossarian]

5. The groups have someone on the inside.

Any government office can have a mole.

[stillcool]

7. from the state..

according to the article...

The personal contact information posted online of people who had reported businesses potentially violating coronavirus restrictions — which has led to threats against some — was likely obtained through public-records requests to the state, according to Chelsea Hodgson, spokeswoman for the Washington Joint Information Center, which is helping coordinate the state’s pandemic response.

“Several individuals made public disclosure requests for the complaints that have been filed to date,” Hodgson wrote in an email. “This list was likely generated and shared by one of those individuals.”

Hodgson said the state has taken steps to make clear on the web form that complaints are subject to public release.

[DBoon]

6. classic criminal gang behavior

Threaten someone who is trying to ensure laws are enforced

[samnsara]

8. i wont complain about anyone during this time...i believe in natural consequences and there could..

...be a violent outcome so Im not going to endanger some poor enforcement officer who may get hurt. If these folks eventually get sick and die.. so be it.