Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown is offering his support to prosecute those trying to interfere with the initiative and referendum process. This comes after recent incidents of harassment and theft targeting signature gatherers. Brown urges 39 county prosecutors to protect signature gatherers from harassment and theft.

Defending Constitutional Rights

The people’s right to legislate is a foundational piece of our governmental structure and political culture. As Attorney General Brown says, the initiative process has a rich tradition in American and Western thought, finding its origins in the ideals of democracy and a government for the people by the people.

Brown’s actions are a superb example of reaching across the aisle to protect the rights of those you disagree with. Although the organization Let’s Go Washington, which is collecting signatures for multiple initiatives, leans largely conservative, and Attorney General Brown is a Democrat, Brown recognizes that Washingtonians have the right to engage in this process.

The way to work out disagreements is by discussing the merits of the particular arguments, not resorting to harassment and violence. As noted by Washington’s Attorney General, those attempting to interfere with the lawful exercise of this power should be held accountable.

Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.