Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 1 of 28 1 2 3 4 5 United States District Court For The Western District Of Washington At Tacoma 6 7 Drew MacEwen, Andrew Barkis, Chris Corry, Brandon Vick, 8 Michael McKee, Lee Pfluger, Fran Wills, and Bruce Russell, 9 Plaintiffs, 10 11 v. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 I. Complaint For Declaratory And Injunctive Relief Jury Demand 12 Jay Inslee, in his official capacity as the Governor of Washington, 13 Defendant. 14 15 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Introduction 1. In late 2019 or early 2020, a novel viral infection began circulating in Washington. The first hint of problems came in early 2020, when dozens of residents of two nursing homes in King County fell sick and died, and were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19, then running rampant in Hubei province, China. 2. Available evidence and modeling suggested a potential disaster: the virus spread by aerosol, quickly, and resulted in so many serious illnesses that the state’s hospital capacity would soon be overwhelmed. 3. Models suggested that within weeks, even with social distancing, Washington state would run out of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators. 4. People who contracted COVID—or had other pressing medical needs—would die from lack of access to care, where they would have survived if only we could save the hospital system. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 1 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 2 of 28 1 5. Many measures were implemented to avert this budding crisis. The U.S. Army built a field 2 hospital at a sports stadium in downtown Seattle; health care workers mobilized; businesses 3 began mandating work-at-home for workers whenever possible. Downtown Seattle became a 4 ghost town. 5 6. Before long, in response to the predicted disaster, Governor Inslee began mandating ever 6 tighter controls on movement and gathering. Washington pulled together to “flatten the 7 curve.” 8 7. The goal of these constraints—voluntary and mandated—was to spread the rate of infection, 9 10 illness, and death out over time. Experts in epidemiology cautioned that the virus’ spread was not really controllable, and the most we could hope for was to slow the rate. 11 8. This way, while the same number of people would eventually get infected, get sick, or get very 12 sick, fewer would die from lack of access to medical care. 13 9. In other words, with a limited stock of hospital beds, ICU beds, and ventilators, and knowing 14 that more people would need them than was available, the only course of action was to take 15 drastic steps to ensure the need was spread over time, instead of everyone needing the same 16 beds at the same time. 17 10. Based on available estimates of viral spread rates, severity of illness, percentage of infected who 18 needed hospitalization, length of hospital stays, and need for ventilators, a looming threat was 19 identified. 20 11. The Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order intended to eliminate that threat to public 21 order by slowing the spread of disease. 22 12. Over the weeks since the state has imposed limits on its citizens’ Constitutional rights, more 23 and more data have emerged regarding COVID-19. It has been almost unabated good news. 24 13. Far fewer infected people need major medical intervention than expected at the outset. 25 14. The rate of spread has slowed beyond even early predictions of transmission under “social 26 distancing.” 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 2 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 3 of 28 1 15. Ventilators, far from being in short supply in Washington, became a surplus. We were fortunate 2 to be able to send 500 to New York, where the disease spread far more rapidly in the cramped 3 city, with its extreme reliance on public transportation. 4 16. The Army field hospital was dismantled without ever being used. 5 17. More good news emerged. Testing and study around the world developed treatment protocols 6 for those severely affected. 7 18. Among other things, many physicians urged far less use of mechanical ventilators than initially 8 suggested. 9 19. This greatly reduces the potential threat to Washington’s health care system of a lack of 10 capacity of ventilators. 11 20. Yet more good news emerged. Testing has repeatedly revealed that far more people have been 12 infected—but were completely asymptomatic—than initially assumed possible. 13 21. While it remains possible that an asymptomatic infection does not result in immunity, this 14 nonetheless shows that the ratio of infections to cases, of infections to severe cases, of 15 infections to cases requiring hospitalization, is lower than initially feared. 16 22. The predictive models have adopted these new facts—and they reveal yet more good news. It 17 appears that the feared threat to Washington’s hospital system, of being overwhelmed by 18 people suffering from COVID-19, is gone. 19 23. More good news: there have been far fewer COVID-19 deaths in Washington than any early 20 model predicted. 21 24. More good news: there have been ZERO deaths in Washington from COVID-19 of people 22 under age 20. 23 25. In fact, about 50% of the approximately 800 deaths in Washington have been among people 24 over age 80. 25 26. It appears that Washington is like just about every state expect New York: COVID-19, feared 26 as a threat to the life and health of anyone in the state, turns out to be a selective killer, targeting 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 3 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 4 of 28 1 the very old and infirm, those with serious other illnesses, and particularly those in nursing 2 homes and other long-term care facilities. 3 27. Unfortunately, the Washington Department of Health has, to date, refused to disclose to the 4 public the most relevant data: what percentage of the state’s deaths are from the nursing home 5 and long term care population? What percentage have serious co-morbidities? What is the 6 detailed age breakdown? 7 28. What we have learned over the course of the last month and a half is this: COVID-19 presents 8 a statistically insignificant threat to the health of children, young adults, and healthy adults of 9 middle and even slightly advanced age. 10 29. It spreads with many, many asymptomatic cases. 11 30. In nursing homes, and among Washingtonians with pre-existing illnesses, it can be a 12 devastating and lethal disease. 13 31. Unfortunately, the Department of Health has clouded the issue, while failing for weeks to 14 protect the vulnerable populations in Washington. 15 32. Today, we know far more than we knew in early March about COVID-19. We know that the 16 emergency has been averted. We know that the threat to vulnerable populations remains. We 17 know that there is no longer an emergency in the State. 18 33. That should be viewed as great news: we can address the vulnerable population with targeted 19 measures. We can declare victory. 20 34. Unfortunately, the Governor insists that he, and he alone, can determine whether an 21 emergency exists. He claims that it’s an emergency if he says it’s an emergency, and that no 22 one—not the legislature, and not the courts—can gainsay him. He claims that the emergency 23 can continue as long as he thinks it continues, and no one but he can say otherwise. 24 35. The Governor has assumed the sole power to determine whether a person in Washington can 25 worship, can peaceably assemble, can work, can build needed housing, can offer living space 26 for rent, can engage in any activity. 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 4 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 5 of 28 1 36. But the facts, and the science, are clear: when the entirety of public knowledge is examined, 2 there is no public disorder or threat to public order in the State of Washington. The governor’s 3 claim to the contrary is demonstrably false. 4 37. The State was slow in its initial response to COVID-19 in nursing homes, but the hospitals 5 turned their expertise over to helping staunch the infection in those vulnerable spaces. We 6 have learned best practices for keeping those spaces as safe as possible in light of the serious 7 health needs of the residents. 8 38. While our older and sicker relatives remain at greater risk, we now know that the emergency 9 has been contained. 10 39. Worse yet, as a result of the Proclamation, many residents of Washington are unable to secure 11 desperately needed medical care, often deemed “elective” and barred by the proclamations. 12 40. Hospitals, far from overwhelmed, are suffering from lack of revenue. 13 41. Residents of the state are forced to forego or delay medical attention, gravely harming their 14 health, sometimes irreparably. 15 42. Hospitals are forced to lay off skilled staff, lose revenue, and are being put under enormous 16 financial strain, all because the success of limiting COVID-19 spread has not moved the 17 governor to back off his shutdown and lift the state of emergency. 18 43. While the governor says otherwise, the facts don’t lie, and the Constitution does not authorize 19 him to maintain infringements on Constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties on his mere say- 20 so, with no avenue of review or redress. 21 44. Judicial review of the governor’s claim of emergency must be available. Without review, a 22 legitimate statute designed with flexibility to allow quick response to true emergent threats 23 becomes a tool for long-term imposition on Constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties from the 24 mere whim of the state’s executive. II. 25 Jurisdiction and Venue 26 45. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because the suit arises 27 under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 5 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 6 of 28 1 46. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1343 because the suit arises 2 under the Civil Rights Act of 1871, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, to redress the deprivation, under color of 3 state law, of rights, privileges, and immunities secured to Plaintiffs by the Fifth and Fourteenth 4 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. 5 47. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1367 this Court has supplemental jurisdiction over any claims stated in this 6 Complaint that arise under state law but are so related to the federal claims as to form part of 7 the same case or controversy. 8 48. Venue is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 and LCR 3(e), and intra-district 9 assignment to the Tacoma Division is proper because a substantial part of the events and 10 omissions that give rise to Plaintiffs’ claims arose in this judicial district and division, and at 11 least Plaintiff MacEwen lives in this judicial district and division. III. 12 Parties 13 49. Plaintiff Drew MacEwen is a resident of Mason County Washington, and elected state 14 representative for the 35th Legislative District. He has directly suffered harm due to the 15 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 16 Proclamations are voided. 17 50. Plaintiff Andrew Barkis is a resident of Thurston County Washington, and elected state 18 representative for the 2d Legislative District. He has directly suffered harm due to the 19 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 20 Proclamations are voided. 21 51. Plaintiff Chris Corry is a resident of Yakima County Washington, and elected state 22 representative for the 14th Legislative District. He has directly suffered harm due to the 23 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 24 Proclamations are voided. 25 52. Plaintiff Brandon Vick is a resident of Clark County, Washington, and elected state 26 representative for the 18th Legislative District. He has directly suffered harm due to the 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 6 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 7 of 28 1 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 2 Proclamations are voided. 3 53. Plaintiff Michael McKee is a resident of Washington. He has directly suffered harm due to the 4 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 5 Proclamations are voided. 6 54. Plaintiff Lee Pfluger is a resident of Washington. He has directly suffered harm due to the 7 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 8 Proclamations are voided. 9 55. Plaintiff Fran Wills is a resident of Washington. She has directly suffered harm due to the 10 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. She will suffer harm until the 11 Proclamations are voided. 12 56. Plaintiff Bruce Russell is a resident of Washington. He has directly suffered harm due to the 13 challenged Proclamations, and continues to suffer such harm. He will suffer harm until the 14 Proclamations are voided. IV. 15 A. 16 Fact Allegations Relevant Public Health Data 17 57. In determining whether there exists a state of emergency in Washington, ands whether the 18 infringement on civil liberties is addressed at steps that remedy that state of emergency, it is 19 imperative to review the facts about relevant conditions in the state. 20 58. As of May 3, 2020, 841 people have died of COVID-19 in the State of Washington.1 21 59. Of those, 52% are over age 80; 91% over age 60. Exactly zero are under age 20. 22 60. Whether or not this constitutes a state wide emergency justifying infringements on the civil 23 liberties of all residents must be evaluated by, among other things, comparison to the similar 24 status of normal public health issues in the sate each year. 25 26 27 1 Washington State Department of Health, COVID-19 in Washington State, Cumulative Confirmed Cases and Deaths, https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020COVID19/DataDashboard , (last visited May 5, 2020). MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 7 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 8 of 28 1 61. If the usage of health care resources in 2020 is roughly identical to past years, then any year is 2 an emergency. If the death rate in 2020 is roughly identical to past years, then any year is an 3 emergency. If the threat to public health posed by COVID-19 is not extremely dissimilar than 4 other threats to public health that regularly arise in the state, then “emergency” ceases to have 5 meaning other than simply “Governor’s fiat.” 6 62. Thus, it is relevant to see, for example, that in 2018, 56,913, people died in the State of 7 Washington, of which 988 died of Influenza and Pneumonia, the ninth leading cause of death 8 in Washington.2 9 63. In 2017, 57,012 people died in the State of Washington, of which 1,037 died of Influenza and Pneumonia, the ninth leading cause of death in Washington.3 10 11 64. In 2016, 54,748 people died in the State of Washington, of which 809 died of Influenza and Pneumonia, the tenth leading cause of death in Washington.4 12 13 65. Whether or not a state of emergency exists across the entire state of Washington, among all 14 residents and people, requiring impositions on the civil liberties of everyone in the state, must 15 depend on the actual nature of the asserted emergency. 16 66. If any emergency is confined to certain small subsets of the population, the Governor’s statewide edict cannot be justified. 17 18 67. However, the Washington State Department of Health has thus far refused to release data on 19 the number of COVID-19 deaths or cases among residents of nursing homes or long-term care 20 facilities. 21 22 23 24 2 25 Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Vital Statistics, DOH 422-099. (2018), https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/422-099-2018-2010-VitalStatHighlights.pdf 3 Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Vital Statistics, DOH 422-099. (2017),https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/422-099-2018-2010-VitalStatHighlights.pdf 4 Washington State Department of Health, Washington State Vital Statistics, DOH 422-099. 27 (2016),https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Pubs/422-099-2018-2010-VitalStatHighlights.pdf. 26 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 8 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 9 of 28 1 68. Looking at data from states which have been more transparent and open, it appears highly likely 2 that the threat posed by COVID-19 in Washington is almost exclusively confined to long term 3 care facilities and elderly, sick residents of the state. 4 69. By way of example, in the State of Illinois, there are 7,555 cases of COVID-19 at Long-Term 5 care facilities among residents and staff, as of May 1, 2020. As of May 1, 2020, in the State of 6 Illinois there have been 1,082 COVID-19 deaths among residents and staff at Long-Term care 7 facilities.5 As of May 3, 2020, there are a total of 61,499 cases of COVID-19 in the entire State 8 of Illinois, and have been a total of 2,618 deaths.6 9 70. By way of example, in the State of Maryland, there are 3,218 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at 10 nursing, assisted living, and group home facilities among residents (not including prisons or 11 jails), and there have been 525 confirmed COVID-19 deaths among residents, as of April 29, 12 2020. As of April 29, 2020, there have been 1,489 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff 13 at nursing, assisted living, and group home facilities, and 8 confirmed deaths of staff.7 As of 14 May 3, 2020, in the State of Maryland, there have been a total of 26,408 confirmed cases of 15 COVID-19, and 1,216 confirmed deaths. 2,144 COVID-19 cases and 519 COVID-19 confirmed 16 deaths have been among those 80 years old or older; 5,993 COVID-19 cases, and 487 COVID- 17 19 confirmed deaths have been among those who are between the ages of 60 and 79. There have 18 been no confirmed deaths from COVID-19 for anyone under the age of 30, and no possible 19 COVID-19 deaths for anyone under the age of 20.8 20 71. Emerging medical consensus tracks the lack of any COVID-19 deaths among children and youth in Washington. 21 22 23 24 5 Illinois Department of Public Health, Long-Term Care Facility Outbreaks COIVD-19, (2020), http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-outbreaks-covid-19. 6 Illinois Department of Public Health, Coronavirus Disease 2019, http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19 (last visited May 4, 2020). 25 7 State of Maryland, Maryland COVID-19 in Congregate Facility Settings, https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/hcf-resources (last visited May 4, 2020). 8 State of Maryland, COVID-19 statistics in Maryland, https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ (last visited May 4, 27 2020). 26 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 9 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 10 of 28 1 72. Study after study has confirmed that there is practically no threat to youth and children from 2 COVID, that they have extremely low risk of transmission to adults, and when symptomatic, 3 have generally very mild symptoms.9 4 73. As Dr. Anthony Fauci has said, describing the lack of any data to support excluding children 5 from normal activities: 6 “One interesting feature of this novel coronavirus pandemic is that very few children have become sick with COVID-19 compared to adults,” said NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “Is this because children are resistant to infection with SARS-CoV-2, or because they are infected but do not develop symptoms? The HEROS study will help us begin to answer these and other key questions.”10 7 8 9 74. If COVID-19, as a matter of fact, poses little to no threat to children and young adults, while 10 those same people also pose little to no threat to themselves or others, there cannot be a state 11 of emergency justifying impositions on their civil liberties. 12 75. If, in fact, COVID-19 illnesses and deaths are almost exclusively confined to those who are 13 older or have serious existing illnesses, there cannot be a state of emergency justifying 14 impositions on the civil liberties of every other resident of the state of Washington. 15 76. All evidence shows that the threat of COVID-19 is focused on long term care settings. 16 77. Yet the State’s response has not only been overbroad, by locking down healthy and unthreatened people, it has also been slow and inadequate in those areas of greatest threat. 17 18 78. For example, in Pierce County with just over 40 cumulative deaths and 1400 cases, a few congregate care settings made up the bulk of concentrations of the positive cases. 19 20 79. As hospitals and long-term care settings realized the problem, they shifted focus with hospitals 21 attempting to help unprepared long-term care facilities. But personal protective equipment 22 (“PPE”) and testing has not followed. 23 24 25 26 27 9 See, e.g., https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.26.20044826v1; https://journals.lww.com/pidj/Fulltext/2020/05000/Coronavirus_Infections_in_Children_Including.1.aspx 10 https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-determine-incidence-novel-coronavirus-infection-uschildren-begins MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 10 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 11 of 28 1 80. Even last week, nursing homes, rehab facilities and adult family homes were still struggling to 2 obtain the proper PPE they need to care for their residents. 3 81. In some instances, the Department of Health has ordered a halt to testing of staff and residents 4 at long-term care facilities for bureaucratic and paperwork related reasons, not in the interest 5 of health of staff or residents. 6 82. The DOH has found vendors to offer long-term care staff the needed training on dealing with 7 COVID-19, but then decide to allow the vendor to charge the struggling facilities, instead of 8 making the training available free as a matter of public health. 9 83. The DOH has fallen woefully short in guidance for staff treating person in those at-risk setting 10 so that they can take the most appropriate and effective precautions to care for residents. 11 84. The state has also not disclosed which facilities have had outbreaks. 12 85. Nor has the state prioritized testing of workers in the long term care settings—in fact, it has 13 blocked private testing in at least one instance! 14 86. Because workers in long-term care settings have the most direct contact with the highest-risk 15 population in the state, testing them should be an imperative. Instead, the Governor has locked 16 down the healthy population of the state while ignoring easy solutions that could address the 17 actual health risks. 18 87. Long term care works plainly have the greatest potential to spread COVID-19 from client to 19 client or from client to home. 20 88. Worse yet, the state has not disclosed the any information regarding the comorbidities of those 21 who have dies with COVID-19. 22 89. Minnesota, by contrast, has made clear that over 99% of deaths in the state are among people 23 with at least one serious co-morbidity. 24 90. In the face of a virus that poses an extreme risk to a narrow subset of the population, and one 25 which is largely confined, immobile, and readily identifiable, there can not be, as a matter of 26 fact, a state wide emergency. 27 91. The Governor has asserted otherwise. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 11 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 12 of 28 B. 1 Proclamations 1. 2 Proclamation 20-25 3 92. Governor Inslee issued Proclamation 20-25 on March 23, 2020. 4 93. The Proclamation’s full title reads: “Proclamation By The Governor Amending 5 Proclamation 20-05.” 6 94. The Proclamation’s subtitle reads: “Stay Home—Stay Healthy.” 7 95. The Proclamation identifies an earlier Proclamation issued by Governor Inslee, Proclamation 8 20-05, issued on February 29, 2020. 9 96. Proclamation 20-25 describes Proclamation 20-05 as “proclaiming a State of Emergency for all 10 counties throughout the state of Washington.” 11 97. Proclamation 20-25 describes Proclamation 20-05 as having proclaimed the State of 12 Emergency “as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in the United 13 States and confirmed person-to-person spread of COVID-19 in Washington State.” 14 98. Proclamation 20-25 identifies amendatory Proclamations 20-06, 20-07, 20-08, 20-09, 20-10, 15 20-11, 20-12, 20-13, 20-14, 20-15, 20-16, 20-17, 20-18, 20-19, 20-20, 20-21, 20-22, 20-23, and 16 20-24. 17 99. Proclamation 20-25 describes these amendatory Proclamations as “prohibiting certain 18 activities and waiving and suspending specified laws and regulations.” 19 100. 20 Governor Inslee’s emergency powers. 21 101. 22 Proclamation 20-25 describes these prohibitions, waivers and suspensions as an exercise of Proclamation 20-25 cites RCW 43.06.220 as the law authorizing Governor Inslee to exercise his emergency powers in this manner. 23 102. Proclamation 20-25 gives “the continued worldwide spread of COVID-19, its significant 24 progression in Washington State, and the high risk it poses to our most vulnerable populations” 25 as the rationale for this alleged exercise of Governor Inslee’s emergency powers. 26 103. 27 Paragraph 4 of Proclamation 20-25 cites “at least 2,221 cases of COVID-19 in Washington State and, tragically, 110 deaths of Washingtonians associated with COVID-19.” MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 12 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 13 of 28 1 104. 2 affecting life, health, property or the public peace.” 3 105. 4 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Paragraph 8 of Proclamation 20-25 states: [T]he Washington State Department of Health continues to maintain a Public Health Incident Management Team in coordination with the State Emergency Operations Center and other supporting state agencies to manage the public health aspects of the incident[.] 6 106. 7 Paragraph 7 of Proclamation 20-25 describes the COVD-19 pandemic as “a public disaster Paragraph 9 of Proclamation 20-25 states: [T]he Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division, through the State Emergency Operations Center, continues coordinating resources across state government to support the Department of Health and local health officials in alleviating the impacts to people, property, and infrastructure, and continues coordinating with the Department of Health in assessing the impacts and long-term effects of the incident on Washington State and its people. 107. Paragraph 10 of Proclamation 20-25 proclaims that the State of Emergency continues. 108. Paragraph 10 of Proclamation 20-25 also proclaims that “Proclamation 20-05 and all amendments thereto remain in effect as otherwise amended.” 109. Paragraph 10 of Proclamation 20-25 also proclaims that “Proclamations 20-05, 20-07, 20- 11, 20-13, and 20-14 are amended and superseded by” Proclamation 20-25. 110. Paragraph 10 of Proclamation 20-25 identifies “prohibit[s] all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein.” 111. Paragraph 5 of Proclamation 20-25 states: WHEREAS, models predict that many hospitals in Washington State will reach capacity or become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients within the next several weeks unless we substantially slow down the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state; 112. The Governor’s reasoning for issuing Proclamation 20-25 was that hospitals in Washington state could have become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients within several weeks, according to models as of March 23, 2020. 113. The potential overwhelming of hospital resources constituted the threat to public order that justified the exercise of the governor’s emergency powers. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 13 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 14 of 28 2. 1 May 4, 2020 Proclamation 2 114. That threat has faded. But Inslee continues on. 3 115. On May 4, 2020, Inslee extended Proclamation 20-25 through May 31. 4 116. The goal posts shifted drastically, as would be necessary to claim any continued emergency. 5 117. With no threat to overwhelming hospitals, no threat to lack of beds or ICE space, no threat 6 of a shortage of ventilators, Inslee instead cited “the continued worldwide spread of COVID- 7 19, its significant progression in Washington State, and the high risk it poses to our most 8 vulnerable populations . . .” (Emphasis added.) 9 118. Inslee also cited that “through May 2, 2020, the Department of Health confirmed another 10 1,664 cases and 85 more deaths, for a total of 15,185 cases with 834 associated deaths, 11 demonstrating the ongoing, present threat of this lethal disease . . .” 12 119. Inslee made no attempt to inform the public about the percentage of deaths among the over- 13 80 year old population, nor did he mention that over 90% of such deaths are among people over 14 60. 15 120. Inslee did not remark on the fact that zero deaths were among young people, under 20. 16 121. Inslee did claim that “In addition, modelers agree that fully relaxing social distancing 17 measures will result in a sharp increase in the number of cases . . .” 18 122. Inslee has never released any such model for public consideration. 19 123. Inslee has never identified whether any such model asserts that deaths will rise among any 20 group other than the most vulnerable population—sick, elderly people in long term care. 21 124. 22 Inslee makes no effort to identify whether any less restrictive measure would protect this group, while nonetheless allowing assembly, worship, and liberty for Washington. 23 125. In fact, plaintiffs believe that Inslee’s careful omission of even attempting to justify greater 24 restrictions as opposed to lesser ones is because the threat is almost exclusively confined to 25 certain vulnerable groups, and because the State can make ample protection measures available 26 for them with targeted interventions, not a broad-brush approach favored by Inslee. 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 14 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 15 of 28 1 126. 2 measures will result in an overwhelmed hospital system. 3 127. 4 Inslee has made no effort to inform the public whether fully relaxing social distancing In fact, plaintiffs believe that Inslee’s careful omission of this justification for his continued Proclamation is because no such threat exists. 5 128. Inslee tosses a fig leaf to the First Amendment when he asserts that “some [religious] 6 services can be conducted in a manner similar to comparable secular activities to prevent 7 prolonged exposure to individuals outside of their immediate household while ensuring safe 8 social distancing and hygiene practices.” 9 129. 10 be performed with no greater threat to public health than secular activities. 11 130. 12 In fact, any and all religious services that are “similar to comparable secular activities” can Indeed, any religious service in the state can be conducted with less threat to public health than the potential threat Inslee has allowed by deigning to permit certain casinos to open. 13 131. Mass gatherings of revelers at a casino poses at least the same threat to public health 14 (meaning: nearly none) as would gathering for Mass at a Catholic church, or any other 15 gathering of people to freely exercise their religion. 16 132. By allowing certain casinos to open, while limiting the right of people to freely exercise 17 religion, and doing so with no factual or scientific bases, Inslee’s Proclamation demonstrates 18 its unconstitutionality on its own terms. 19 133. Inslee concludes that, of COVID-19, “its progression in Washington State continue to 20 threaten the life and health of our people as well as the economy of Washington State, and 21 remain a public disaster affecting life, health, property or the public peace . . .” 22 134. This misstates the known facts. 23 135. By now, it is well known that COVID-19 threatens the life and health of a subset of 24 Washington that is uniquely at high risk and needs particular, focused attention to avoid 25 infection and death. 26 136. 27 It is now known, and is a fact, that COVID-19 is not a threat to the life or health of nearly all the population of Washington State, nor the economy of Washington State. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 15 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 16 of 28 1 137. 2 There remains no COVID-19 public disaster affecting life, health, property or the public peace. 3 138. Inslee’s omission of relevant facts, that show the threat of disaster and any actual disaster, 4 has been resolved and no longer remains, cannot be used to justify his continued infringement 5 of rights and liberties in Washington. C. 6 Harm To Each Plaintiff 1. 7 Drew MacEwen 8 139. Mr. MacEwen owns two restaurants in Washington state. 9 140. The first is Smokin Mo’s. 10 141. The second is the Dock Bar and Eatery. 11 142. Both restaurants are limited to take out which severely limits operations and revenue, 12 constraining the ability to pay obligations, as a result of the Proclamation. 13 143. But for the Proclamation, both restaurants would be fully open and operating. 14 144. Mr. MacEwen is losing money every day due to the Proclamation. 15 145. Mr. MacEwen thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 2. 16 Andrew Barkis 17 146. Mr. Barkis owns Hometown Property Management, Inc. (“Hometown”). 18 147. Hometown is a property management company doing business in Washington state. 19 148. Hometown’s ordinary course of business sometimes involves evicting tenants, raising rent, 20 charging late fees, serving compliance notices, and collecting debts. 21 149. 22 reason. 23 150. 24 Hometown is now prohibited from evicting tenants as a result of the Proclamation for any Hometown is also now restricted in its ability to raise rents, charge late fees, serve compliance notices, and collect debts as a result of the Proclamation. 25 151. But for the Proclamation, Hometown could elect to raise rents, could charge late fees, could 26 serve compliance notices, and collect debts, as it might elect to do in the ordinary course of 27 business. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 16 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 17 of 28 1 152. 2 debts incurred during the pandemic, as a result of the Proclamation. 3 153. 4 After the pandemic passes, Hometown will also remain restricted in its ability to collect But for the Proclamation, Hometown would collect more and larger shares of debts after the pandemic passes. 5 154. Mr. Barkis is losing money every day due to the Proclamation. 6 155. Mr. Barkis has suffered a 32% loss on Hometown’s net revenue due to the Proclamation. 7 156. Mr. Barkis has had to furlough almost 20% of Hometown’s fulltime staff due to the 8 Proclamation. 9 157. 10 additional 20% of Hometown’s fulltime staff due to the Proclamation. 11 158. 12 Mr. Barkis will not be able to recoup a great deal of the money lost due to the Proclamation because the Proclamation also restricts Hometown’s ability to collect debt. 15 160. 16 Mr. Barkis has had to alter the entire structure of Hometown’s core operating procedures due to the Proclamation. 13 159. 14 Mr. Barkis has had to change the payroll schedule from salaried to hourly for almost an Mr. Barkis thereby has been harmed, is still being harmed, and will continue to be harmed by the Proclamation. 3. 17 Chris Corry 18 161. Mr. Corry works as a salesman in Washington state. 19 162. Mr. Corry normally meets with clients and potential clients in person as part of his business. 20 163. Mr. Corry is prohibited from meeting with clients and potential clients in person as a result 21 of the Proclamation. 22 164. 23 Many of Mr. Corry’s clients and potential clients find remote meeting technology inadequate to their needs. 24 165. Mr. Corry cannot make sales to his clients or potential clients without meeting with them. 25 166. Mr. Corry is unable to make sales as a result of the Proclamation. 26 167. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry would be able to make sales. 27 168. Mr. Corry is losing money every day due to the Proclamation. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 17 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 18 of 28 1 169. Mr. Corry normally receives medical and dental care in Washington state. 2 170. Mr. Corry’s medical and dental health providers are closed as a result of the Proclamation. 3 171. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry’s medical and dental health providers would be open. 4 172. Mr. Corry is deprived of medical and dental care due to the Proclamation. 5 173. Mr. Corry’s children also live in Washington state. 6 174. Mr. Corry’s children also normally receive medical and dental care in Washington state. 7 175. Mr. Corry’s children’s medical and dental health providers are closed as a result of the 8 Proclamation. 9 176. 10 But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry’s children’s medical and dental health providers would be open. 11 177. Mr. Corry’s children are deprived of medical and dental care due to the Proclamation. 12 178. Mr. Corry’s foster daughter wears dental braces. 13 179. Mr. Corry’s foster daughter’s braces are currently faulty. 14 180. Mr. Corry’s foster daughter needs prompt dental attention in order to have her braces 15 fixed. 16 181. 17 Getting his foster daughter’s braces fixed is among the medical and dental care that Mr. Corry’s children are unable to receive due to the Proclamation. 18 182. Mr. Corry’s foster daughter is forced to wear faulty dental braces due to the Proclamation. 19 183. Mr. Corry’s children normally attend school in Washington state. 20 184. Mr. Corry’s children’s schools are closed as a result of the Proclamation. 21 185. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry’s children’s schools would be open. 22 186. Mr. Corry’s children are deprived of the ability to attend school due to the Proclamation. 23 187. The distance learning alternatives offered for Mr. Corry’s children are wholly inadequate. 24 188. Mr. Corry’s children are functionally being deprived of an education due to the 25 Proclamation. 26 189. 27 Mr. Corry’s children also normally participate in sports and extramural activities in Washington state. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 18 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 19 of 28 1 190. 2 Proclamation. 3 191. 4 But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry’s children’s sport and extramural groups would be active. 5 192. 6 Mr. Corry’s children’s sport and extramural activities are cancelled as a result of the Mr. Corry’s children are deprived of the ability to participate in sports and extramural activities due to the Proclamation. 7 193. Mr. Corry normally attends church in Washington state. 8 194. Mr. Corry’s church is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 9 195. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Corry’s church would be open. 10 196. Mr. Corry is deprived of the ability to worship in church due to the Proclamation. 11 197. Mr. Corry is also deprived of the fellowship he normally enjoys at church due to the 12 Proclamation. 13 198. Mr. Corry thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 4. 14 Brandon Vick 15 199. Mr. Vick lives in Washington state. 16 200. Mr. Vick’s daughter normally attends public school in Washington state. 17 201. Mr. Vick’s daughter also relies on her school to provide education supplies and educational 18 resources aside from direct instruction. 19 202. Mr. Vick’s daughter’s school is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 20 203. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Vick’s daughter would still be attending school. 21 204. Mr. Vick’s daughter is deprived of her ability to attend school due to the Proclamation. 22 205. The school district has provided virtually no alternative means of education. 23 206. The burden of educating Mr. Vick’s daughter has been placed wholly upon Mr. Vick. 24 207. Mr. Vick is not equipped or qualified to educate his daughter on his own. 25 208. Mr. Vick’s daughter is also deprived of educational supplies and educational resources 26 aside from direct instruction due to the Proclamation. 27 209. Mr. Vick’s daughter is functionally being deprived of an education due to the Proclamation. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 19 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 20 of 28 1 210. Mr. Vick normally also relies on childcare for his children. 2 211. Mr. Vick’s childcare providers are closed as a result of the Proclamation. 3 212. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Vick would be placing his children in childcare while fulfils 4 his other obligations. 5 213. Mr. Vick is deprived of his ability to place his children in childcare due to the Proclamation. 6 214. Mr. Vick is deprived of his ability to fulfil his other obligations due to the Proclamation. 7 215. Mr. Vick also normally attends church in Washington state. 8 216. Mr. Vick’s church is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 9 217. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Vick’s church would be open. 10 218. Mr. Vick is deprived of the ability to worship at church due to the Proclamation. 11 219. Mr. Vick is also deprived of the fellowship he normally enjoys at church due to the 12 Proclamation. 13 220. 14 organizations. 15 221. 16 But for the Proclamation, Mr. Vick would be donating his time and services to the events held by nonprofit organizations. 19 223. 20 The events held by nonprofit organizations to which Mr. Vick donates his time and services are cancelled as a result of the Proclamation. 17 222. 18 Mr. Vick also normally donates his time and services to events held by nonprofit Mr. Vick is deprived of his ability to donate his time and services to events held by nonprofit organizations due to the Proclamation. 21 224. Mr. Vick thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 5. 22 Michael McKee 23 225. Mr. McKee owns a catering business in Washington state. 24 226. Mr. McKee’s catering business normally services events such as weddings and business 25 conferences. 26 227. 27 As a result of the Proclamation, most of the events that are normally serviced by Mr. McKee’s catering business are cancelled. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 20 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 21 of 28 1 228. 2 Because Mr. McKee’s catering business has almost no remaining clients, it has been functionally bankrupted. 3 229. Mr. McKee has been deprived of most of his income from his catering business. 4 230. But for the Proclamation, Mr. McKee would still be earning a significant income from his 5 catering business. 6 231. Mr. McKee also owns a shop in Washington state. 7 232. Mr. McKee’s shop is still under construction. 8 233. Mr. McKee is unable to finish constructing his shop as a result of the Proclamation. 9 234. But for the Proclamation, Mr. McKee would be finishing the construction of his shop. 10 235. Mr. McKee is also an avid shooter. 11 236. Mr. McKee normally hones his abilities at a local gun range. 12 237. Mr. McKee’s local gun range is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 13 238. Mr. McKee normally purchases gun parts and ammunition at his local gun shop. 14 239. Mr. McKee’s local gun shop is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 15 240. But for the Proclamation, Mr. McKee would be free to exercise his Second Amendment 16 right to bear arms. 17 241. 18 Mr. McKee is deprived of his Second Amendment right to bear arms due to the Proclamation. 19 242. Mr. McKee also normally attends church in Washington state. 20 243. Mr. McKee’s church is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 21 244. But for the Proclamation, Mr. McKee’s church would be open. 22 245. Mr. McKee is deprived of the ability to worship at church due to the Proclamation. 23 246. Mr. McKee is also deprived of the fellowship he normally enjoys at church due to the 24 Proclamation. 25 247. Mr. McKee also has family, friends, and coworkers in Washington state. 26 248. Mr. McKee normally socializes with his family, friends, and coworkers on a regular basis. 27 249. Social events have been banned as a result of the Proclamation. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 21 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 22 of 28 1 250. 2 friends, and coworkers. 3 251. 4 But for the Proclamation, Mr. McKee would be socializing regularly with his family, Mr. McKee is deprived of the ability to socialize with his family, friends, and coworkers due to the Proclamation. 5 252. Mr. McKee thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 6. 6 Lee Pfluger 7 253. Mr. Pfluger is the CEO of Building North Central Washington (“BNCW”). 8 254. BNCW is a construction company doing business in Washington state. 9 255. BNCW normally takes on many construction jobs in Washington state. 10 256. BNCW is unable to take on many construction jobs as a result of the Proclamation. 11 257. But for the Proclamation, BNCW would take on these construction jobs. 12 258. Because of the inability to take on construction jobs, BNCW has suffered a severe loss of 13 business. 14 259. 15 Because of the loss of business, BNCW has been forced to sharply reduce the number of hours that its employees work. 16 260. Mr. Pfluger has had his hours reduced to 20 per week. 17 261. Mr. Plfuger has suffered significant loss of individual income due to having his hours 18 reduced. 19 262. Because of the loss of business, BNCW has also suffered a severe loss of income. 20 263. Because of the loss of income, BNCW’s operating account has been reduced from 21 approximately $60,000 to under $10,000. 22 264. As CEO of BNCW, Mr. Pfluger has an interest in the financial health of the company. 23 265. Mr. Pfluger also normally attends church in Washington state. 24 266. Mr. Pfluger’s church is closed as a result of the Proclamation. 25 267. But for the Proclamation, Mr. Pfluger’s church would be open. 26 268. Mr. Pfluger is deprived of the ability to worship at church due to the Proclamation. 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 22 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 23 of 28 1 269. 2 Mr. Pfluger is also deprived of the fellowship he normally enjoys at church due to the Proclamation. 3 270. Mr. Pfluger thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 7. 4 Fran Wills 5 271. Ms. Wills lives in Washington state. 6 272. Ms. Wills suffers from secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, a continual decline in 7 nervous function. 8 273. 9 Ms. Wills’ multiple sclerosis has gotten worse over recent years: for example, she has gone from being able to use a cane to being forced to use a walker. 10 274. Ms. Wills is also seventy years old. 11 275. As a result of her multiple sclerosis and the general infirmity that comes with her age, Ms. 12 Wills has extreme difficulty exercising normally. 13 276. 14 get much incidental muscle stimulation. 15 277. 16 Like many seniors, and like many people with multiple sclerosis, Ms. Wills also does not Failure to get either regular exercise or regular incidental muscle stimulation can cause severe muscle atrophy. 17 278. Muscle atrophy, in turn, can seriously worsen the effects of multiple sclerosis. 18 279. Because Ms. Wills, as a septuagenarian with multiple sclerosis, does not get much 19 incidental muscle stimulation, she must exercise regularly in order to avoid severe muscle 20 atrophy and worsening of her multiple sclerosis. 21 280. Like many people who have extreme difficulty exercising normally, Ms. Wills relies on 22 aquatic exercise in order to avoid severe muscle atrophy and worsening of her multiple 23 sclerosis. 24 281. 25 Since 2014, Ms. Wills has participated in the “Water Fit” aquatic exercise program at an athletic club, on a thrice-weekly basis. 26 282. The athletic club has been shut down since March 13, 2020, due to the Proclamation. 27 283. But for the Proclamation, it would be open. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 23 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 24 of 28 1 284. 2 as a result of the Proclamation. 3 285. 4 Ms. Wills faces a significant risk of permanently losing her ability to walk as a result of the Proclamation. 15 291. 16 Because of her already serious infirmity, Ms. Wills faces a significant risk of losing her ability to walk if her muscles atrophy any further. 13 290. 14 The muscle atrophy that Ms. Wills will continue to suffer as a result of the Proclamation will most likely be permanent as well. 11 289. 12 The muscle atrophy that Ms. Wills has suffered as a result of the Proclamation is most likely permanent. 9 288. 10 Although Ms. Wills’s Water Fit classes are effective at slowing her muscle atrophy, they cannot reverse atrophy that has already occurred for a person in Ms. Wills’s condition. 7 287. 8 Ms. Wills will continue to suffer accelerated muscle atrophy for as long as the shutdown persists, as a result of the Proclamation. 5 286. 6 Ms. Wills has already suffered accelerated muscle atrophy during the time of the shutdown, Because of her already serious infirmity, Ms. Wills’s also faces a significant risk of death due to multiple sclerosis complications if her muscles atrophy any further. 17 292. Ms. Wills faces a significant increased risk of earlier death as a result of the Proclamation. 18 293. Ms. Wills also has difficulty performing many basic household tasks as a result of her 19 multiple sclerosis and muscle atrophy. 20 294. These tasks become more difficulty as her multiple sclerosis and muscle atrophy progress. 21 295. Ms. Wills faces a significant risk of becoming incapable of performing basic household tasks 22 due to the Proclamation. 23 296. Normally, Ms. Wills socializes with other students in her Water Fit classes, dines out with 24 friends, visits with relatives who live in the area, sees movies with other people, plays poker at 25 the local casino, and goes to the mall. 26 297. 27 Every single one of the activities on which Ms. Wills relies for her human interaction has been banned by the Proclamation. MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 24 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 25 of 28 1 298. Ms. Wills has been deprived of virtually all human contact as a result of the Proclamation. 2 299. But for the Proclamation, Ms. Wills would be participating in her normal, active social life. 3 300. Ms. Wills has suffered and is still suffering significant injury to her emotional and 4 psychological health as well as her physical health from the isolation as a result of the 5 Proclamation. 6 301. Ms. Wills thereby has been harmed and is still being harmed by the Proclamation. 8. 7 Bruce Russell 8 302. Bruce Russell owns and operates Lake Bowl. 9 303. For over 60 years and 3 generations of working family members, Lake Bowl has successfully 10 and steadily grown its business. 11 304. It started from a small bowling center and snack bar in 1957 to a business that now includes 12 the bowling center with a 250 seat full service restaurant and tap house, a Washington state 13 enhanced card room, 4 redemption arcades across the state, a 60 room hotel, and a 7500 barrel 14 Microbrewery that retails product across Washington state. 15 305. 16 Due to the forced closures by the Governor due to COVID-19, all of Lake Bowl’s businesses have been severely impacted. 17 306. Russell has had to furlough over 100 employees. 18 307. He has lost more than 95% of business income throughout this period. 19 308. Aside from current losses, he also anticipates that business won’t “get back to normal” 20 under the reopening phases proposed by Governor Inslee for several months, if at all. 21 309. Never in history have Lake Bowl and the Russells faced such financial hardship. 22 310. Now he has learned that Tribal casinos (including their restaurants, spas, and retail shops) 23 in Washington are opening their doors several weeks before many Washington businesses, 24 including Lake Bowl, are able to open under theirs under the Governor’s plan. 25 311. 26 Furthermore, Russell and his family has not been able to attend church services which have been restricted due to the lockdown. 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 25 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 26 of 28 1 312. Now, people will be able to congregate in large crowds to entertain themselves at a 2 competitor business just down the road, while Lake Bowl will continue to be shuttered and Mr. 3 Russell and his family cannot go to church. 4 313. Mr. Russell is harmed by the Proclamations. V. 5 6 314. 7 Causes Of Action The allegations of the previous paragraphs are incorporated as if fully set forth in each of the following Counts and Causes of Action. 8 A. 9 Amendment Right To Free Exercise Of Religion. 10 315. 11 Count I: Declaratory Relief That The Proclamations Infringe The First By issuing and enforcing the Proclamations, Inslee has infringed the first amendment rights of Plaintiffs to free exercise of religion. 12 B. 13 Amendment Right To Peaceable Assembly. 14 316. By issuing and enforcing the Proclamations, Inslee has infringed the first amendment rights 15 Count II: Declaratory Relief That Proclamations Infringe The First of Plaintiffs to assembly peacably. 16 C. 17 Amendment Right To Liberty, Which Has Been Deprived Of Plaintiffs Without Due 18 Process Of Law. 19 317. By issuing and enforcing the Proclamations, Inslee has infringed the fifth amendment rights 20 Count III: Declaratory Relief That Proclamations Infringe The Fifth of Plaintiffs to liberty, and done so without due process of law. 21 D. 22 Constitutional Right Of People To Work For A Living. 23 318. By issuing and enforcing the Proclamations, Inslee has infringed the rights of Plaintiffs to 24 Count IV: Declaratory Relief That Proclamations Infringe The work for a living. 25 26 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 26 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 27 of 28 1 E. 2 Property Without Due Process Of Law. 3 319. By issuing and enforcing the Proclamations, Inslee has deprived the Plaintiffs of property 4 Count V: Declaratory Relief That Proclamations Deprive Citizens Of without due process of law. 5 F. 6 320. Inslee has stated his intention to enforce the Proclamations, including continuing to bar 7 Count VI: Violation of Civil Rights (42 U.S.C. § 1983). activities described above that each Plaintiff desires to engage in. 8 321. In doing so, Inslee will act under color of state law. 9 322. The enforcement of the Proclamations will deprive Plaintiffs of civil rights guaranteed by 10 the First and Fifth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as applied to states by the 11 Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 12 G. Count VII: Constitutionality of State Statutes 13 323. RCW 43.060210 and RCW 43.06.220 are unconstitutional to the extent they allow Inslee 14 to infringe civil rights and civil liberties without any review, on the simple basis that he alone 15 elects to assert the existence of an emergency, whether or not the facts demonstrate that such 16 an emergency exists. 17 H. 18 324. Plaintiffs have suffered, and in the absence of injunctive relief, will continue to suffer the 19 Count VIII: Injunctive Relief deprivation of Constitutional rights. 20 325. Plaintiffs do not have an adequate remedy at law. VI. 21 22 326. Jury Demand Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury of all issues so triable. VII. Prayer For Relief 23 24 Wherefore, Plaintiffs pray for the following relief: 25 327. A declaration that the Proclamations are unconstitutional; 26 328. An order enjoining Inslee, and anyone acting on his behalf or in concert with him, from 27 enforcing the Proclamations; MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 27 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243 Case 3:20-cv-05423 Document 1 Filed 05/05/20 Page 28 of 28 1 329. Plaintiffs’ costs and attorneys’ fees; and 2 330. Such other and further relief as the court shall deem just and appropriate. 3 /// 4 /// 5 /// 6 May 5, 2020. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Ard Law Group PLLC Albrecht Law PLLC By:_____________________ Joel B. Ard, WSBA # 40104 P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206) 701-9243 Attorneys for Plaintiffs By:________________________ David K. DeWolf, WSBA #10875 421 W. Riverside Ave., Ste. 614 Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 495-1246 Attorneys for Plaintiffs 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 MacEwen v. Inslee Complaint - 28 No. 3:20-cv-05423 Ard Law Group PLLC P.O. Box 11633 Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 Phone: (206) 701-9243