Port Angeles attorney William Payne filed a civil rights action suing Clallam County and the County’s health officer seeking to invalidate the County’s order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all people entering restaurants and bars. Mr. Payne’s lawsuit is filed on behalf of the Kokopelli Grill / Coyote BBQ in Port Angeles, The Oasis Bar & Grill, Sunshine Café, Blondies Plate, and Jose’s Famous Salsa and Salsa House Restaurant, in Sequim, and the Blackberry Caffe in Joyce. They claim their “economic liberty” rights are more important than public health concerns.
The vaccination proof requirement is in Public Health Order -September 02, 2021.
Mr. Payne’s lawsuit claims the county’s health order violates the plaintiff’s right to equal protection of the law, is arbitrary and capricious, and is too broad in its application. He also claimed the health mandate is invalid and unconstitutional, and he asked the court to prohibit the County from enforcing the order.
The civil rights lawsuit was filed in Port Angeles on November, 22, 2021, under Clallam County Superior Court Cause #21-2-00597-05. The initial hearing in which Mr. Payne will be seeking an injunction is currently set for January 7, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. All three Clallam County Superior Judges have recused themselves, since the work with the County’s health officer to implement COVID-19 protections and other health matters. The case will be heard by a Kitsap County Superior Court judge, and the hearings will available to watch on the Kitsap County’s Zoom service. https://www.kitsapgov.com/sc/Pages/default.aspx.
William Payne’s office is located at 542 N 5th Ave Suite C, Sequim WA 98382. He can be reached at 360-683-4212, or by email at wbp@plfps.com. Mr. Payne practices business, commercial, contracts, criminal, employment, civil rights and constitutional rights law.