Davis v. Cox

¶1 To determine whether a pleaded cause of action falls within the ambit of Washington’s anti-SLAPP1 statutes, the trial court must decide whether the claim targets activity involving public participation and petition. To properly do so, the trial court must focus on the principal thrust or gravamen of the claim. A consideration of the relief sought by the party asserting the cause of action can be a determinative factor when resolving this question. Here, the plaintiffs’ prayer for relief included a request that the court order the defendants to cease activity protected by the First…