United States V. Washington - Settler Response

Settler Response

United States v. Washington was a landmark case in terms of Native American civil rights and evoked strong emotions among white settlers. According to former U.S. Senator Lloyd Meeds of Everett, "the fishing issue was to Washington state what busing was to the East" during the African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968). In fact, the reaction to the case was so strong—on both sides—that Judge Boldt was forced to hold court six days a week, including on the Labor Day holiday; 49 experts and tribal members testified. United States v. Washington truly "revolutionized the state fisheries industry" and there were "violent clashes between tribal and non-tribal fishermen and regulators". For example, 60 Native Americans and their supporters were arrested in Tacoma during a "fish‑in" (these began in 1964) on the Puyallup River. Principles established by United States v. Washington have since been applied to other natural resources, including shellfish.