Thousands rally online in support of WA stay-at-home order

Thousands of people are rallying from a safe social distance online Sunday, in support of Gov. Jay Inslee’s ongoing stay-at-home order.

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Participants are posting photos of themselves staying home, as Washington continues to operate under Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” requirements.

The virtual rally’s organizer originally had hoped to have just over a couple thousand people join in. In just a few days, though, the Facebook event page saw thousands more flocking in to RSVP.

As of publishing, over 10,000 people have said they will be participating, while another 15,000 responded to the event as “interested.” The organizer also urged supporters to email Gov. Inslee, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, and King County Executive Dow Constantine with words of support and encouragement.

“I support smart re-opening of our state, county, and city. I invite you all to do similarly,” the organizer stated on Facebook. “Tell your leadership what is important to you.”

Despite the event being scheduled for Sunday starting at 12 p.m., hundreds of participants had already begun posting photos in the event page earlier in the week in a show of solidarity.

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The online rally operates in opposition to protests in Washington against the state’s stay-at-home order, including one in Olympia last Sunday that drew in 2,500 people.

While the Washington State Department of Health hinted recently that restrictions on things like outdoor recreation and elective surgeries could soon be lifted, the bulk of the state’s social distancing requirements will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future.

“We cannot state unequivocally when other businesses can reopen,” Gov. Inslee said Friday. “The date of reopening is not today — if we did this today, this virus would return with a vengeance.”

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